WASTE LANDS. 



105 



souls of the slain at the great battle in the 

 neighbourhood. Some years ago it served as 

 a counting-house ; but probably the pressure 

 of the times drove the buyers and sellers from 

 its polluted walls, which were kept so pure and 

 bright in the gone-by days of once Merry 

 Wakefield. 



" Wakefield, — once Merry Wakefield ! — 

 these sad innovations too plainly tell us that all is 

 not right within thee. But thy cup of sorrow 

 is not yet filled up; another bereavement 

 still awaits thee, and it will be a final blow 

 to the few remaining rural sports which are 

 now within thy reach. Heath Common is to 

 be enclosed ! Then adieu, a long and last adieu, 

 to thy delightful walks, and rides, and manly 

 games, on the ever-enchanting wilds of Heath 

 Common ; thy unrestricted, undisturbed so- 

 journ, time out of mind. And when the fatal 

 day of its enclosure shall have dawned upon 

 thee, say, once Merry Wakefield say, what is 

 to become of thy fifteen thousand people, who 

 will not have a yard of public land remaining, 

 whereon to recover that health of frame, and 

 vigour of the mind, so apt to be enfeebled when 

 debarred from the advantage of rural air and 



