Appendix No. 1. vii
"That this Society [or I, as a working Student of Natural Science],
has [have] long viewed with anxiety the gradual extinction of the larger
species of animals and plants, and of microscopical organisms, which
inhabit the commons, woods, ponds, and pools in the neighbourhood of
London, and we [I] desire most cordially to co-operate with the Essex
Field Club in its endeavour to check, and if possible prevent, the drainage
of Epping Forest and its neighbourhood, or the prosecution of any works
which may tend to destroy or reduce the undergrowth, woodland, and
small pools, or in any way interfere injuriously with the plants and
animals which flourish in such situations; and we [I] hope that the
efforts of the Club will be directed to the maintenance of the Forest in its
natural condition."
This resolution was passed at special meetings of the following Societies,
and signed by the Presidents and Secretaries : —
Burnt Ash Scientific Society.
Croydon Microscopical and Natural History Club.
Ealing Microscopical and Natural History Society.
East London Natural History Society.
Erith and Belvedere Natural History and Scientific Society.
Geologists' Association.
Hackney Microscopical and Natural History Society.
Haggerston Entomological Society.
Hampstead Naturalists' Club.
Hertfordshire Natural History Society and Field Club.
Highbury Microscopical and Scientific Society.
Highgate Microscopical Society and Naturalists' Club.
Lambeth Field Club.
New Cross Microscopical and Natural History Society.
North Middlesex Natural History Society.
Petherton Microscopical Society.
Quekett Microscopical Club.
Richmond Athena?um and Field Club.
Royal Microscopical Society.
South London Entomological Society.
South London Microscopical and Natural History Society.
Sydenham and Forest Hill Microscopical and Natural History Club.
West London Entomological Society.
Notwithstanding these repeated and weighty expressions of public
opinion against any change in the Forest, its friends had still a fierce
contest before them in opposing a renewed attempt, in the session of 1883,
to obtain powers to construct a railway across Hawkwood Plain to High
Beach. The project was almost identical with that withdrawn in 1881,
but it was remarkable for the energy with which it was pushed forward
by its professional and amateur promoters, no less than for the emphatic
verdict pronounced against it by the press, the public, and Parliament.
As the " Forest Fund " had been dissolved, and the " Commons Preserva-
tion Society," although appealed to, declined to take an active part in the
fight until it was virtually won, the work of organising the opposition fell
upon the Essex Field Club. A resolution similar to those above alluded
to, passed by the Club, was adopted by nearly all the local scientific
associations in and near London, and inserted in a large proportion of
the metropolitan and provincial newspapers. Two large deputations
appointed by the Club, but in reality including many scientific men
representing various societies, and gentlemen speaking on behalf of the
Commoners, Sunday Schools, the Clergy, and public interests generally,
waited upon Sir John Lubbock at the House of Commons on February