ATTACKS BY RAILWAY COMPANIES. 341 
affecting Bulwell Common, near Nottingham, and the 
Bournemouth Commons. It is believed, however, that 
these are rare exceptions, and the view is now gener- 
ally held that it is not wise to reduce the area of open 
land near towns for such purposes. In the case of 
the Corporation of Torrington, in Devonshire, a Bull 
came before Parliament in 1889, raising a kindred 
question. The Commons near this town are beau- 
tifully situated, lying on the crest of a lofty ridge 
rising abruptly from the river Torridge, and with an 
area of 300 acres. There had been disputes between 
the Commoners and the owners of the Rolle estate for 
many years, and the Bill was designed to put an end 
to them. It was proposed to vest these lands in the 
Corporation, giving them power to inclose and lay out 
for building purposes 100 acres, or one-third of them. 
The Commons Society gave notice of their intention to 
oppose the scheme, on the ground that it was not to 
the general welfare that these open spaces should be 
reduced by so Jarge an amount. Puble interest in 
Torrington was aroused on the subject ; meetings were 
held to protest against the scheme, and ultimately, 
negotiations with the Corporation resulted in their 
abandoning this part of their measure. The Torring- 
ton Commons, therefore, will remain intact and secured 
for the public use and enjoyment. 
These proceedings in Parliament, in opposition to 
Railway Companies and Corporations, had an indirect 
effect beyond their immediate object. They gradually 
educated public opinion to a full perception of the great 
