There was a lively debate on Monday on Mr. Fawcett's
motion for an address to the Queen, praying that her rights over Epping Forest may be defended, in order that it may be preserved as an open space for the recreation of the people. Mr. Fawcett and Mr. Charles Buxton both assailed Mr. Lowe, who not only seems deter- mined not to defend the rights of the Crown in Epping Forest, but in answer to various members of a deputation on the subject, launched various sarcasms at all who were in favour of defending those rights, especially the Prime Minister. When pressed with Mr. Gladstone's encouraging answer, Mr. Lowe had replied, "1 don't understand what it means ; it was evidently intended to please everybody, the lords of the manor included." And Mr. Lowe had gone on to assert that forestal rights were a remnant of feudalism, and opposed to "the spirit of the age,"—not so much opposed, however, but that he was apparently willing to sell them. Besides Mr. Buxton, Mr. Cowper Temple (Mr. Cowper), Mr. Samuda, Mr. Binnaird, Mr. Alderman Lawrence, all followed on the same side; and Mr. Gladstone was compelled to ignore Mr. Lowe's outburst of rebelliousness, and promise that all advan- tages which the forestal rights might give,—which, as the Solicitor- General explained, were not of the first importance,—should be used to prevent the loss of Epping Forest to the public. Why not buy it out and out? Ample space and air in the neighbour- hood of the metropolis is not a local, but an Imperial interest,— Mr. Lowe to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding.
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