COMMONS AND RIGHTS OF WAY.
The Preservation of Open Spaces and of Footpaths and other Eights of Way. By Sir Robert Hunter. Second Edition. (Eyre and Spottiswoode. 12s. 6d.)—We are very glad to see that Sir Robert Hunter's classic work on the law relating to the preserva- tion of commons and rights of way in rural England has already passed into a second and enlarged edition,—the first only appeared in 1898, and in the case of such a book this shows a very gratifying demand. The scope of the book is best shown by an extract from the original preface :—" Owing to the constant growth of large towns, and to the increasing facilities for escape from their smoke and noise, the import- ance of rural England as a recreation ground for all classes becomes more obvious, and is more fully recognised, every day. So far as the author is aware, no attempt has yet been made to give an account of the principles upon which the enjoy- ment of the many and varied beauties of England is recognised by the law ; the present volume is an attempt to supply that deficiency. In this connection, it should not be forgotten that the public owe much to the generosity and good sense of land-owners; but the use of the country for purposes of recrea- tion should not be left to depend entirely upon the goodwill of a limited class, while, on the other hand, privileges freely accorded will be the more keenly appreciated when the limits of public rights are understood." How much the public attitude on this subject has changed in the past few years may be seen, not only from the various enactments which Sir Robert Hunter records, and from the formation of such useful organisations as the Commons Preservation Society and the various bodies which defend rights of way, but from the scandalous neglect of their duty of which public bodies were guilty not so long ago. The shameful destruction of Hainault Forest by a penny-wise Government is fresh in our readers' memory. Sir Robert Hunter quotes the ease of Croydon, where very large "fuel allotments" were made on the enclosure of the woods and open lands of Norwood. Some years later the parishioners obtained an Act of Parliament authorising the sale of these allotments—practically common land—in order to build "a hall fit for the reception of her Majesty's Judges" with the proceeds. "Croydon is now a large town, very poorly supplied with open spaces, and has exPeilded considerable sums in acquiring recreation grounds." Fortunately the people are no longer likely to commit such blunders, or to allow local authorities to connive at them. Sir Robert Hunter's book is singularly interesting for a legal work; to.read it is almost like breathing a whiff of country air in the nudst of the Law Courts. It is likely long to hold its place as the Standard authority on its subject, and should be in the hands of every local authority, and of every one who is practically in-
terested in the preservation of as much recreation ground and breathing space and natural beauty as possible in these thickly populated days.
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