In Memoriam: Sir Antonio Brady. 97
8th of July in that year an immense mass-meeting was held
on the Flats, Sir Antonio taking the chair, and as an outcome
of that popular protest the "Forest Fund" was established
at a meeting held at his own residence on the 14th July,
1871, by a few gentlemen who had for years been earnest in
their desire for the preservation of the Forest from the
continuous spoliation which was taking place. Sir Antonio
Brady was one of the Trustees of the Fund, and for seven
years the Society did most useful and honourable work,
under the skilful and energetic guidance of the Chairman,
Mr. Frederick Young, J.P., and the Honorary Secretary,
Mr. W. G. S. Smith. About the same time Sir Antonio
was elected by the freeholders one of the Ancient Court of
Verderers, an office which was continued to him by the
Epping Forest Act, 1878, and which he held until his death,
loyally fulfilling its duties and responsibilities. The "Epping
Forest Committee" of the Corporation of London, by a re-
solution passed on January 20th, 1882, placed "on record
its appreciation of the services rendered by Sir Antonio
Brady to the cause of the preservation of Epping Forest,
and of his sincere desire that the toilers of the East end of
London especially should not be deprived of so noble a
recreation-ground."2
In former years Sir Antonio took much interest in the
meetings of the Geological, Microscopical, and Meteorological
Societies. Up to the time of his death he was a member of
the Geological Club, and Trustee of the Meteorological
Society. He was an original Life Member of the British
Association, where he usually was on the Geological Section,
and very generally attended its meetings. He was also a
member of the Palaeontological, Palaeontographical, and Ray
2 Sir Antonio Brady did not live to see the crowning touch put to the
long and arduous work of the rescue of the Forest, by Her Majesty the
Queen, on May 6th, 1882, but his active colleagues of the Epping Forest
Fund were present; and it was a matter of surprise and comment that,
while the mere ex officio members of the Corporation received all the
rewards and honours, the men who had done battle for the Forest for
years, including even Mr. J. T. Bedford, were utterly ignored and
neglected!
H