vi PREFACE. 
determined opposition before Select Committees of both 
Houses, has sanctioned a scheme for the regulation of 
these Commons, under which they will be placed under 
the control and management of a body of Conservators 
elected by the ratepayers of the district. It has 
therefore decided that a2 Common may be practically 
taken out of the control and management of the Lord of 
the Manor and placed under that -of an elective body 
in the interest of the district. 
These two important measures may be considered as 
having virtually effected a legal revolution in the re- 
lation of Lords of Manors and their Commoners to 
the public with respect to Commons. The fitting 
occasion, therefore, has arisen for putting on record 
the history of the movement, and for describing in 
detail the course of litigation which has had so large 
a part in forming public opimion and in rendering 
possible this legislation. 
I should have preferred that some other person 
than myself should have undertaken this task. But, 
in fact, of those who were concerned in the initiation 
of the movement, I find that I am the only survivor, 
who has continuously taken an active part in directing 
the policy of the Society for the Preservation of Com- 
mons, and who is conversant with all its proceedings. 
I must claim excuse, therefore, if I have occasionally 
lapsed into a narrative in the first person, and have 
referred to my own action. 
I have to render special thanks to Sir Robert Hunter 
and Mr. Percival Birkett, who were professionally 
