"BURY OR BURN."
[To THE EDITOR or rag " SPECTereli."] Sue—Knowing the great interest you take in preserving the beauty of rural spots, I write to you for advioe. There is a lovely walk, a righted-way through a charming wood close to this village, just at the terminus of a tram or light railway to Portsmouth. On Saturday afternoons' and Bank holidays, and indeed all fine sum- mer days, thousands of trippers come out from Portsmouth, and a great number picnic along-this woodland ride, keeping it hideous and repulsive from spring to autumn. I go through it twice a day to work at a hospital, and the eight of the paper, rubbish, broken glees, be., is heart-breaking. I take "Bury or Burn" leaflets on my. outward way, and pin them to the trees and bushes, and they are always taken, and I hope read; but after two years' experience I am sure that they only appeal to a class that does not need them. They are too long, and too reasoned to touch the people- who offend in theft ways. I think we want something in the term of a small handbill, in rather large type, and with very striking and arresting headlines :—
This Wood is BEAUTIFUL! DO NOT MAKE IT HIDEOUS!
Waste Paper, Food, be, are DISGUSTING—BURY THEM.
-- Think of the Children's Safety, and BURY BROKEN GLASS!
Towne are kept tidy by Scavengers—
WE IUST KEEP THE COUNTRY TIDY OURSELVES!
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These are very feeble suggestions, but any one accustomed to advertising could produce something far more arresting. If you, Sir, could give the matter your attention, I am sure you could
soon pet out a really useful paper. It is thoughtlessness that makes the people suit in this apparently selfish way, and a word that would go home, and make them think, would do wonders.— I am, Sir, &c., M. G. PATERSON. Hook Cottage, Horndean, Hants.
[Our correspondent's suggestion for a warning notice seems excellent in its wording. "Bury or Burn" was originally written as an article for the Spectator, and was of course not intended to be used as a placard. If people anxious for the amenities of woods and forests pin notices to• trees, as Orlando pinned up verses to Rosalind on the trees of Arden, the notices should be small, strong in texture, and not very conspicuous.—En. Spectator.]
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