what would nowadays probably be called a "roadhouse". This was
located somewhat away from the main village, probably to the relief
of the other residents, in a damp low-lying hollow called Mobs Hole,
which was beside Snares Brook in the Nightingale Green neighbour-
hood. In the latter years of the 17th century and early in the 1800's
her house and gardens provided an attraction to the public of that
era. Edward Ward in "The London Spy" of 1698-1700 describes the
scene:—
"By this time the road was full of passengers, everyone furnish'd
with no small appetite. Citizens in crowd, upon pads, hackneys and
hunters, all upon the titup, as if he who rid not at a gallop was to
forfeit his horse. Some spurred on with speed and cheerfulness, as if
they never intended to come back again. Some rode double, some
single. Every now and then a lady dropp'd from her pillion, and another
from her side-saddle, some showing the milky way to bliss to the
company, which, tho' it made them blush made us merry. Horses,
coaches, carts, waggons and tumbrils fill'd the road, as if the whole
town had been going to encamp; all occupy'd by men, women and
children, rich, poor, gentle and simple, having all travelling conveni-
ences suitable to their quality. In this order did we march, like Aaron's
proselytes to worship the calf, till we came to the new-rais'd fabric
call'd Mobs Hole, in Wanstead Parish, where the beast was to be
eaten".
Wanstead together with the other forest villages of Woodford,
Leytonstone, Upton and Walthamstow were proving attractive to
more and more of the wealthy city merchants and bankers as residential
areas. This led to the expansion of these villages with a consequent
reduction in the open wastes of the forest. This and similar factors
contributed to the gathering momentum of the enclosure of the forest
wastes which was only halted by the commencement in 1871 of the
action by the Corporation of the City of London against the Lords of
the Manors. The enclosures between 1800 and 1870 reduced the open
wastes from an estimated 12,000 acres to something less than 2,000
acres. This affected not only the commoners of the forest parishes
who pastured their animals, collected firewood and so forth for it
reduced their rights and adversely affected their livelihood, but also
affected the general public who found themselves excluded from areas
which they had formerly been able to visit freely.
The use of the forest wastes by the public for recreation and
enjoyment had been general for a very long time although it was
clear that except in the case of a village green and lands dedicated to
the public enjoyment the public have no legal right nor can they acquire
7