On Monday, Sir John Hutton, Chairman of the London ^County
Council, formally dedicated Hackney Marsh to the public. The Marsh, which is practically in London (only three-and-a-half miles from the Royal Exchange), and contains about three hundred and thirty-seven acres, was not built over because it was Lammas land,—i.e., land over which certain rights of pasture existed. It was not, however, Common land, and might have been inclosed had the lord of the manor bought up those rights. The ground is flat, but when it has been drained and planted, a lake made, and cricket and football grounds laid out, it will be an enormous benefit to East London. The Marsh has a striking history. Certain Danish Vikings sailed their ships up the Lea as far as Ware, and there made a settlement for purposes of pillage. King Alfred, however, treated them as poachers sometimes treat trout. He drained away the water of the river by cuttings across Hackney Marsh—the traces are still there—and left the "surf-deer," the long black ships, stranded, and the sea- rovers like fish out of water ! To testify that the Chronicle speaks true, a Danish ship has been dug up at Hackney.
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