HAMPSTEAD HEATH. 
87 
“ With reference to the suggested 
overcrowding of trees on the East 
Heath, Mr. Fletcher said that some of 
the trees would die, and others would 
be damaged, and in this way they 
would be thinned — but that he would 
report further on the matter.” 
“As to the filling up of pits, he said 
that one barrowful of sand had been 
taken to fill up a hole which had been 
pointed out as being dangerous.” 
good if you made it clear at Hampstead 
that everything is gained by taking ad- 
vantage of any natural beauty of ground 
and vegetation, and ttot destroying it. 
Where there is distinct beauty of both, 
as at Hampstead, it should be the first 
duty of the authorities to preserve it. I 
need not say where the beauty of your 
Heath will be if the smug lawns and 
chaos of iron fencing, often seen in West 
End parks, should ever rule at Hamp- 
stead. 
“ Yours faithfully, 
“ W. Rolil.NSON.” 
“ March 20, 1896. 
“ I hope you got my letter yesterday. 
You may be sure that sweeping up and 
raking fallen leaves in a rough heath like 
Hampstead Heath would be worse than 
labour wasted. It is much better to 
leave the leaves to nourish the shrub 
roots in the ground. This takes place 
in all woods and copses whether planted 
by man or natural, and without it their 
fertility would not be preserved. Even 
in pleasure grounds it is often better to 
leave them wherever they are caught 
and fixed by the trees and bushes and 
are not absolutely in the way by lying 
deep on frequented footpaths. 
“ Yours always faithfully, 
“W. Robinson.” 
The chief objection to the trees is a 
general one, viz., that they totally alter 
the character of the Heath, and are 
not wanted. The public opinion is 
unanimous not to have their view of 
St. Paul’s completely shut out by trees, 
as is now the case from the Spaniard’s 
Road. These trees w'ill certainly have 
to be removed. 
Any one looking at the raw place 
on ground where “ one barrowful ” was 
taken will see what was the real case, 
viz., that many cartloads were taken 
away, which I was called to watch with 
my own eyes. Please understand this 
is only one of many, many hills destroyed. 
An authorized committee of taste is 
essential, with a responsible clerk of the 
works. It is utter ruin to the pic- 
turesque to allow damage to be done 
for want of supervision. 
We commend these answers to the London County Council, 
and especially to the Chairman of the Parks Committee and its 
chief officer, Colonel Sexby. We wish we could add an expres- 
sion of our confidence that outrages like this will be impossible in 
the future, but unfortunately the action of the Council does not 
justify such a hope. 
