THE NATIONAL TRUST REPORT
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The annual report of the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest, or Natural Beauty, should give the greatest possible encouragement to all lovers of the English country- side. Fifty years ago, the prospect was very bad, for it seemed not improbable that in a few years time much of our most beautiful scenery, especially in the Lake District, would be completely spoiled, or lost ; but in 1905, through the efforts of Canon Rawnsley, Vicar of Keswick, and other public-spirited men, the National Trust was formed, and ever since it has " gone from strength to strength." At the present time, it extends a protecting arm over almost the whole country, from Hadrian's Wall to the South Coast cliffs, and it controls in perpetuity, for the benefit of the public, nearly two hundred different properties !
The list of subscriptions, contained in the report, testifies to the generosity of many landowners and well-to-do people, but Mr. John Bailey, the chairman of the Executive Com- mittee, points out in an accompanying letter, that the Trust urgently requires further financial help, if its good work is to be maintained, and further extended, as it ought to be. The astonishing success with which it has so far met, is perhaps partly attributable to a general awakening in recent years to the aesthetic and educative value of such things as those which the Trust endeavours to preserve, and it should not be forgotten that very valuable support has been given to it by the Spectator, and other leading organs of public opinion, for many years.—I am, Sir, &c., WALTER CRICK. Sussex Club, Eastbourne.
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