Two volumes of records have been published by the London
County Council under the care of Mr. G. L. Gomme, who furnishes each with an introduction. The first is Court Minutes of the Surrey and Kent Sewer Commission. This covers the period between 1569 and 1579. "Sewer" is not used in its modern sense. The Sewer Commissioners were charged with the duty (1) of protecting the land from inundation ; (2) of protecting river navigation. An illustration of the first may be seen at Clevedon, where the sea-wall is marked with the proportions to be kept up by various farms within the district affected. So here we find such entries as "Bessie) sewero pro conservatione murortun marls- comm." One such was held on July 5th, 1577. A jury of twenty was sworn in (for East Surrey), and proceeded to adjudge various portions of work to be done. The second volume is Court Rolls of Tooting Bee Manor. Here is a curious little glimpse into the manners of Tooting folk in the early fifteenth century. Robert Crafte com- plains of trespass by Richard Bradwatere, who has made ravage in fields sown with oats, wheat, and beans with beasts and pigs, and done damage to tlao extent of 30s. Bradwatere acknowledges in part. Then Bradwatere complains of trespass by Crafte. He has lost three quarters of oats. Crafts acknowledges in part. He com- plains again of having a sow damaged to the loss of nine little pigs, for which he claims 6s. 8d. The defendant clears himself by compurgators, one of them a William Crafte. Next Brad water() complains of Johanna Crafte, who with her sheep has made havoc in three acres of barley. Johanna is present in Court, and acknowledges in part. Later on we find that they do not prosecute their suits, and are "in mercy,"—i.e, have to submit to such penalty as the law may impose.
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