SPOILIXG OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH. 63 
On the East Heath there was a little pond under some oak trees (the Rat Pond 
where the children used to get tittlebats. This is drie<.l up by the officials. On 
the further West Heath several other little ponds have been dried also. The 
yellow water-lily grew in the Viaduct Pond. They dried the pond to clean it, 
leaving the lily roots for days on the bank in the sun. That is dead. Natural 
sand paths are cut straight with line and spade, and remade with cinders or red 
brick. Little gullies made by the rain are tilled up with sand or clay, flattened 
by spades. They are “dangerous,” the men say. Hollows tilled with long 
grasses, hare bells and sorrel are cut with a scythe. 
Nothing but unauthorized committee of taste can save the Heath. 
Mr. Fletclier’s defence, delivered before the Hampstead 
Vestry, is published in the Hampstead and Ilighgafe Express for 
March 14. It seems to have satisfied the Vestry, who did not 
press a resolution which had been presented, censuring the 
London County Council ; but it appears to us somewhat difficult 
to reconcile with the account we have printed. He speaks of a 
“ rain pool formed after wet weather ” which was filled up by 
“an official with more zeal than discretion”; but the “rain 
pool ” is a pond which has been there as long as residents can 
remember, has been painted by dozens of artists, and rushes 
— which do not grow up in a night in “ rain pools,” — still 
remain ; and why has the pond not been dug out again ? “ The 
labourers took sand from a bank,” and Mr. Fletcher, when his 
attention was called to this, stopped it, but not until they had 
been carting it for a whole day. As to the gorse, we allow there* 
is room for difference of opinion, but the facts already mentioned 
do not inspire us with confidence in the action of the London 
County Council’s workmen. As to the roots of the “ fine row of 
elms ” — does not Mr. F'letcher know an elm from a lime ? — 
which are becoming exposed, why are they not covered up ? 
and were they ever protected by gorse, as Mr. Fletcher 
suggests ? 
“ With regard to the trees planted on the East Heath, the 
Council, after five years’ deliberation, approved a scheme of 
planting, which has just been completed, in order to replace the 
old trees which are rapidly decaying.” Our correspondent’s 
statement already given must be taken in connection with this 
justification ; it is added, “ If Mr. Fletcher ever saw one tree on 
the sand-hills where he is planting hundreds, he must be five 
hundred years old ! Trees could not grow there in bare silver 
sand. It is no ‘ replacing,’ but absolute ruin.” Mr. Fletcher 
blandly says, “If the public will allow the trees to remain the 
Council will consider the subject from time to time, and then cut 
the trees in places where it is found desirable.” We hope the 
public will not “ allow them to remain,” but will carry out the 
advice of the Daily Chronicle — “ the immediate removal of these 
obnoxious trees should be insisted on.” 
Space will not allow us to discuss the matter further ; but 
one question must be asked. Who is responsible for these 
alterations — say, for the filling up of the pond, which Mr. 
Fletcher reprimanded, and the taking of sand from a bank. 
