Anothergreat step has been taken towards the preservation of Epping
Forest. The Corporation of the City, who have already performed the service of proving by their Chancery suit the illegality of 2,000 acres of inclosures, have given in detail their view of the future of the Forest. They propose that all illegal inclosures not covered with houses, or forming part of pleasure- grounds of moderate extent used with houses, shall be restored to the Forest. The area thus obtained for public recreation will be about 5,000 acres. Over this district it is pro- posed that those rights of common of pasture which have been of such essential use in preserving the Forest should still be exercised, while other rights, such as those of topping and lopping trees, shall be acquired by the future managing body of the Forest upon fair terms. The natural features of the Forest it is desired strictly to preserve, so that London may have a real forest, and not a mere park. The money required will be raised in the first instance by perfecting the title of the holders, of building inclosures in the Forest, upon payment of a rent fixed with reference to the actual value of the land when incloged. Any deficiency the Corporation are willing to make up out of the City of London grain duty. As the natural result of all they have done and propose to do, the Corporation ask that, subjeat to general control by a nominee of the Crown, they should be entrusted with the care and management of the Forest.
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