Journal of Proceedings.
lxxxv
the Forest hereafter. And that a Petition be presented to the Conser-
vators to the above effect, and further praying that they will exert all
their influence to oppose any schemes which would tend to injure the
forestal character of the lands under their charge, or to destroy or disturb
the Ferae Natters inhabiting the same."
He thought that this resolution expressed with exactness their position
as a Natural History Society, with relation to this really serious question,
and he hoped that the members generally would give the matter of the
preservation of the essential natural features of the Forest their earnest
attention, and state their wishes with regard to the drawing up of the
Petition.
The Honorary Secretary made some remarks upon the subject. The
Society had been accused of selfish motives, and of a desire to keep the
Forest as "a happy hunting ground" for the botanist and entomologist.
He thought that the charge was very unfair. Their desire was but to see
the Epping Forest Act carried out in its true spirit. It was generally
agreed that the great value of the district consisted in the fact that it was
a piece of primeval woodland, with the exception of New Forest, almost
the last remnant of the vast forests which once covered England, and
"fed alike the vassal and his lord." If once such schemes as those
under consideration were sanctioned, this quietude, charm, and value of
the woods would vanish, never to return. The place would be gradually
given over to the speculator, publican, and swing proprietor; and in
twenty years' time the woods would become a mere park, relegated to the
tender mercies of the more uneducated sections of the community, to the
destruction of all that made it valuable in the eyes of the true philan-
thropist, he who could and would look forward to the time when the
existence so near London of a piece of true untouched nature would be
of inestimable value in the moral and physical education of millions yet
unborn. He hoped that all intelligent Londoners, whether "naturalists"
or not, would consider the question carefully, and speak out emphatically
while yet there was time. No parts of the woodlands were more than
two miles from a railway station, and to sanction such vulgarities as
tramways through a Forest was but to weakly bow to a mistaken and
mischievous agitation, fomented by a few interested speculators caring
more for commissions, percentages, and "bar-takings" than for the
true and permanent interests and wishes of intelligent citizens.
Some suggestions were made by Dr. Pearce, Messrs. Gould, Warner,
and Boss ; and the resolution was passed unanimously, the President,
Secretary, and Council being empowered to prepare and present petitions
to the Conservators and to Parliament, and to take measures to enlist the
co-operation of the various Natural History Societies in and around
London in the matter.
A proposal of Sir T. Fowell Buxton, relative to the preservation of the
Ferae Naturae in the County of Essex,' was on the agenda paper ; but the
full consideration of the question was postponed, the members present