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SELBORNIANA. 
The Sparrow. — A correspondent sends us a pamphlet published by the 
Humanitarian Society in answer to that by Miss Ormerod mentioned in our last. 
The letter accompanying it is an example of that intemperate advocacy by which 
well-meaning persons injure the cause they wish to serve. 
Our readers will learn with regret of the death of the Kev. Prebendary 
Gordon, which we see noted just as we are going to press. 
The Closing of Footpaths (p. 198). — While admitting that there is 
much room for improvement in the conduct of tourists of a certain class, which 
carries devastation more or less in its train, I do not think that genuine ramblers 
will agree with the remark that the doings of these thoughtless or ignorant visitors 
should go far to justify a land-owner in closing a public footpath across his fields. 
On the other hand, it will undoubtedly occur to all interested in the subject, that 
if every public footpath were rendered accessible by means of a stile, swing-gate, 
or other contrivance, by which the people might be certain that there was a right- 
of-way along it, there would be a surprising cessation of the farmer’s grievance, 
that the public, by leaving his gates open, allow his cattle to stray. The farmer’s 
“ grievance ” is proverbial, and I fear that the loss of this one would be a sad blow 
to him. The remedy is in his own hands. But it is useless to urge him not to 
persist in putting up ordinary field-gates instead of renewing the stiles when they 
have rotted away and left a gap. Me will not see that it is entirely his own look 
out if these gates are left open— especially so in cases where the gate, probably a 
heavy one, has to be lifted up bodily two or three inches in order to fasten it. 
•And why ? I am afraid it is, at any rate in some cases, because the leaving open 
of gates is often made an excuse for locking them ; and more than that, because 
also in course of time it may so happen that this locking of the gates, coupled 
with the absence of the stiles, may result in the “alleged right-of-way ” being 
claimed, and possibly secured, as a mere occupation path. It is a process that 
takes some time in its accomplishment ; indeed, it is the sort of thing that may 
be handed down from father to son. But that it is, in the first instance, in a great 
measure often brought about by the depredations of the before-mentioned un- 
desirable class of visitors, is only too true. The multitude of locked gates in 
the“ hopping ” districts unfortunately but plainly testifies to this conclusion. 
Selbornians have naturally done something towards dissuading the thoughtless 
from making themselves objectionable to the farmer while wandering beneath his 
hedgerows and through his fields and woods, but it is impossible that their efforts 
have either had or can have any very far-reaching results, for, notwithstanding 
their continuous efforts in this direction, it is probable that the thoughtless and the 
rowdy will always form a considerable portion of the community. The settlement 
of the open gate grievance therefore rests with the farmer entirely. Let him put 
up stiles close to his field-gates, and he will then not only protect himself from 
annoyance, but will give the better class rambler a chance of allowing him credit 
for honesty of purpose. 
Walker Miles. 
Battersea Park and. the L.C.C. — The misdirected — some would say 
mischievous — energy of the London County Council is apparently about to be 
directed to Battersea Park. The following protest against the proposed disfigure- 
ment appears in the Daily Chronicle : — 
“ I see the London County Council propose to construct a granite parapet to 
the river front of this park. Would you allow me to protest against such an 
infliction ? Anyone who wishes to see how utterly all the ever-varying interest of 
the river can be blocked out by a granite parapet has only to take a seat on the 
Thames Embankment, when he will have a fine view of stone pavement, granite 
walls, and tops of houses on the opposite side, vieing in dreariness any converted 
churchyard. This is what we are to have at Battersea Park, instead of the present 
free and open view of the river. Now for the opposite picture. Let the spectator 
go to the Tower Gardens, Greenwich, or Blackwall Piers, or the Royal Victoria 
Gardens at Woolwich, and see the difference. Instead of dull dreariness of walls, 
you have life, animation, and beauty of the river, with its numerous craft. 
Imagine the Parade at Brighton with a nice granite parapet ! ” 
