BOOKHAM COMMON.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Sin,—Probably not many of your readers realize the great destruction of trees which is going on in all parts of the country. The necessities of war compelled us to fell large tracts of picturesque timber, but though the need has been removed the practice continues, and there is much danger that before the public awakes to the fact irreparable damage will have been done. One of the loveliest spots in Surrey, &Ahem Common, near Leatherhead, only twenty miles from Hyde Park Corner, and the resort of thousands of visitors from London and elsewhere, is now under the woodman's axe. Some fine timber has been cut, but it is not too late to save thb remainder, and a committee has been formed for the purchase of the manorial rights, which, if sufficient funds are raised, will be vested in trustees, to be appointed by the subscribers. It will be their duty to protect the common from further devastation, and to preserve it for the public. Some £2,000 will be required, of which £1,200 have been promised. Mr. A. E. Graham, Merrycourt, Gt. Bookham, will be pleased to receive further subscriptions, which should be addressed to him as above. Cheques should be made payable to the London County and Westminster Bank, Leatherhead Branch, or Bearer, and crossed a/c Bookham Common Fund. It is earnestly hoped that the public will promptly respond to this deserving object.—We are, Sir, dc., FRANCIS BOWEN Br/SCARLET, The Manor House, Stoke d'Abernon; C. S. GORDON CLARK, Fetchant Lodge, Leatherhead; A. E. GRAHAM, Merrycourt, Cit. Book- ham; H. W. RANDALL, MilMeld, Stoke d'Abernon; R. D. Tnuer,e, Slyfield Manor, Stoke d'Abernon.
[Bookham Common is a national asset, largely because of the magnificence of the oats which guard• its glades. We sincerely trust that it will be saved. The purchase of the manorial rights is the proper procedure. The problem of the lord's right to cut the timber on unenclosable manorial wastes and commons— virtually all commons are now unenelosable—is a very important one, and if not properly solved it may lead to the destruction of some of the most beautiful woodlands in England.—En. Spectator.]
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