CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER I. 
Oricin AND History or Commons. 
Description of Commons—London Commons—Rural Commons—Origin 
of Commons—Village Communities—Folk-Lands—Rise of the 
Feudal System—Manors—The Statute of Merton—Copyholders— 
Customs of Villagers—Gateward’s case—Agitation against in- 
closures in sixteenth century-—Origin of Inclosure Acts—Extent 
of Commons inclosed under Acts—Effect on Rural Labourers— 
General Inclosure Act of 1845—Origin of new movement 
against inclosures 
CHAPTER II. 
Tur CoMMITTEE oF 1865 on Merropotitan Commons. 
Proposals in 1864 for Wimbledon Common—Complaints of inclosure of 
London Commons—Committee of 1845—Enquiry into inclosures— 
Proposal for purchase by the Metropolitan Board of Works— 
Report of Select Committee 
CHAPTER III. 
Tur Commons Preservation Society. 
Renewed inclosures of London Commons—Epping Forest inclosures— 
Founding of Commons Society to resist inclosures—Commencement 
of suits—Proceedings in Courts of Law—Sir H. Peek’s prizes for 
Essays on Commons 
CHAPTER IV. 
Hampsteap HEatu. 
Description of Hampstead—History of Manor—Lord of the Manor’s 
proposals to grant building leases—Resistance in Parliament— 
PAGE 
1—26 
27—38 
39—46 
