The C.P.R.E. has gone from strength to strength. It is,
in fact, organized by born pioneers ; but, as it seems to some critics, it is not yet positive enough. As the initial phrase quoted above suggests : " . . . . its master-bias leans To homefelt pleasures and to gentle scenes."
Nevertheless, we find ourselves in a new world. It is a duty "to preserve our ancient ways." But there are also new ways : there have sprung into obvious being by-passes and high roads more mighty than any the Romans created. Again the county is crossed and recrossed by pylons and wires. More important yet, the motor car has given half the popula- tion a sort of sham and ignorant love of the country. Like Tom Tulliver, who was fond of birds, "that is, of throwing stones at them," this new public is fond of the country, that is, of defacing it. They definitely desire an urbanized country. Yet again factories, many removed from Northern towns, or from London, are dumping themselves in country villages, bringing noise and smells, and urban ideas that are worse than either. * * * *
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