Appendix No. 1. xxxiii
Forest Gate (half-mile from Wanstead Flats); (5) Leytonstone (the
Avenues, Bush-wood, and Whipps Cross); (6) Snaresbrook (on the Forest,
Wanstead Heathland, Snaresbrook pond, "Gilbert Slade," and Wanstead
Park) ; (7) George Lane (within one mile of open wild forest) ; (8) Wood-
ford (ditto) ; (9) Buckhurst Hill (for Lord's Bushes, Boding Valley, and
very large extent of common and woodland in primitive condition); (10)
Loughton (half-mile from Forest, one mile from High Beach, and afford-
ing within a radius of two miles upwards of 2000 acres of the finest
woodland scenery); (11) Chigwell Lane (with country lanes and meadow
paths, leading, within a radius of two miles, to at least 800 acres of
ancient woodland) ; (12) Theydon Bois (on the Forest, and rendering
accessible within a radius of two miles 1050 acres of the very best and
most retired woodland, in which the deer most do congregate) ; (13)
Epping (for Epping Plain and woodland, with charming field paths and
open country). In addition to these, most pleasant walks to the Forest
may be taken from St. James' Street, on the Walthamstow line; from
Tottenham, Water Lane, and Waltham Abbey on the Great Eastern main
line ; and tramways and omnibuses run to the verge of the Forest at
Leytonstone and Whipps Cross, and to Woodford. Conveyances can be
had at a cheap rate at all the Forest stations, and Epping Forest has for
many years been a favourite place for excursions by means of the well-
known "school van."
3. We affirm that the fundamental idea of the long-continued efforts in
favour of preserving Epping Forest was, and the leading principle of the
Epping Forest Act is, that the district should be preserved as a natural
Forest, distinct in character and mode of management from an ordinary
park or pleasure ground. The supposed wants and pleasures of the
ordinary unintelligent excursionist, who we are assured cannot walk a
few hundred yards from his point of arrival to enjoy the best sylvan
scenery, have been amply met by the Conservatorial and publican's
arrangements at Chingford and elsewhere. It is not just that all parts of
the Forest should be equally vulgarised and denaturalised, and that the
wishes of the great mass of intelligent Londoners, of all classes, who look
to enjoy Epping Forest in a rational and healthy way, should be utterly
disregarded. The scenes recently enacted at Chingford, the vice and
rowdyism permitted and attracted there, have closed that once delightful
spot to the lovers of rural quiet and freshness. At present High Beach
(readily accessible from Loughton Station) is the rendezvous of the better
class of visitors. It is an open secret that if the proposed line is made,
a large public-house is likely to be erected at High Beach, and the Ching-
ford policy repeated. Mr. Glass, a gentleman of twenty years' experience
as a London Sunday-school manager and teacher, assured Sir John
Lubbock at the recent deputation that the teachers had decided to take
their "school-treats" to High Beach in future (by "vans"), so as to
escape the contamination of the rougher elements attracted to Chingford,
and that if similar social deterioration overtook High Beach they would
be practically shut out of the Forest altogether. And the school-children
are the very class for which the advocates of the railway profess to be
working!
4. The projected railway would not only be a serious encroachment
upon the Forest, by abstracting for private purposes land dedicated to the
public, but would sever it into two portions, and shut off nearly four
hundred acres of delightful woodland. The line must be carried over
are really touching in their sweet simplicity. During the summer, fireworks, steam
" roundabouts," and shooting at wine-bottles suspended from forest trees are amusements
officially recognised and encouraged.