A GRUESOME BARGAIN. 
171 
bridge, which would otherwise be inaccessible except from Rich- 
mond and Kingston. The scarcely concealed object of these 
proposals is to enclose the wood and utilise the river road for ex- 
tensive building operations, which will altogether transform the 
character of the district, and rob London, and it may justly be 
claimed the nation itself, of one of the most beautiful views to 
be found in England. 
If the principles of the Selborne Society and its allied asso- 
ciations mean anything, these proposals, which the deeds of the 
Trustees in the recent past indicate are seriously meant,* should 
call forth the most strenuous opposition from its members, and 
from the Commons and Footpaths Preservation Societies. To cut 
down the trees forming Petersham Wood, and erect in their 
stead a line of villas, would, with their chimneys vomiting smoke, 
and the rattle and bustle of the tradesmen’s carts, deprive that 
locality of its sylvan charms, and restful, soothing, natural beau- 
ties so grateful to the jaded nerves of visitors. The act of the 
Trustees in bringing forward this unconscionable scheme, with 
its gruesome bargain, will not be such a surprise to the public 
mind in view of their recent attempts upon Ham Common and 
foot-paths, and their criminal action against some humble men of 
Ham, who, in defence of their civil rights, ventured to oppose 
the lords of the manor, as the action of a few members of the 
Richmond Corporation, including the mayor, who, though mem- 
bers of the Selborne Society, have permitted the very sorry offers 
of the Trustees to weigh in their minds against the treasured 
rights of the public in these open spaces. The Fever Hospital 
and some water-logged meadows are a poor equivalent for a 
square mile of bricks and mortar, and the seclusion of the one 
open piece of woodland in this part of the suburbs. 
Another unhappy part of these proposals is the threat of the 
trustees to build upon land which they claim to have under 
their control, and which would altogether spoil the view from 
Richmond Hill if the Corporation do not agree to them and en- 
dorse their action. The calculated meanness of this threat will, 
perhaps more than any other, stir up public indignation and 
resistance to these proposals. The trustees are reputed to be a 
very rich body, and it is difficult to find a sufficient motive for their 
irritating attempts against public rights, unless it be that by the 
terms of their trust their period of power is rapidly approaching 
extinction. No one credits the present Earl of Dysart with being 
a party to these proposals. 
John Allen. 
* Since the above was written we learn that the Trustees have caused large 
boards to be erected, offering the land in question on lease for building purposes. 
