By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 



33 



All these common fields are now enclosed. I have no certain in- 

 formation of the when, and the how. But from the change in the de- 

 scription of the glebe land in a terrier dated 1783, as compared with 

 one about 1700, I suppose the inclosures to have been made in the 

 interval. In all the earlier terriers, portions of the glebe land are 

 described in acres, and half acres, and landyards (perches), lying 

 dispersedly and uninclosed in lots and furlongs, 1 bounded by the 

 lots of other people. But in 1783 the land is put together, as it is 

 now. 



In the years 1848, 9, and 50 (a period of agricultural and manu- 

 facturing depression), an endeavour was made to enclose the ex- 

 isting commons, under 8 and 9 Yic. c. 118, and other amending 

 acts. The measure was recommended on the following grounds: — 

 1. The rate-payers would benefit. Some 35 additional acres would 

 be rateable. The poor rates would be lowered by the rent received 

 from the allotment gardens (which the act required to be laid out 

 for the poor), and by the greater ability of the poor to maintain 

 themselves without parochial relief. 2. The poor would benefit, 

 Additional labour would be provided, for the enclosed lands would 

 very generally be broken up. Allotment gardens would be laid 

 out. These would be managed by "allotment-wardens," the in- 

 cumbent, aud three parishioners (one being churchwarden) elected 

 by the rate-payers, under the following regulations: the quantity 

 not to exceed a quarter of an acre per family ; the rent not to be un- 

 der that given for farming land in the neighbourhood, with the 

 addition of all rates and taxes ; no tenement whatever to be erected ; 

 and any other regulations which the wardens may make not incon- 

 sistent with the act. It would seem that these rules would abun- 

 dantly guard against abuse, and that anything like the Irish cottier 

 system would be impossible. But if not, the discretionary powers 

 of the wardens, prompted by self interest, would provide an instant 

 remedy. It would have been well, if the commons had been en- 

 closed long ago. There is already an Irish cottier population, 

 which is altogether owing to the erection of dwelling houses on 



1 A furlong is a section of an open or commonable field prior to an enclosure 

 taking place. 



0 



