The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, at 20
Buckingham Street, Adelphi, has published its forty-third Annual Report (2s.), containing a lively paper by Mr. G. K. Chesterton and illustrated particulars of the Society's work during the past year. The Society, while keeping a watchful eye on old houses all over England, has not failed to notice the charming eighteenth-century doorway of the house adjoining its own, which was threatened with decay merely because the lead above the lintel had been neglected. The Society has made some useful suggestions for the improvement of the river front at Hammersmith, and the Borough Council appears to be willing to take advice in the matter, which is explained by a plan and a photograph. In regard to the threatened City churches, the Society suggests that the nation should subscribe for their upkeep, but this hardly meets the difficulty, inasmuch as we are told that the Church needs the capital value of the sites so that it may build churches in new districts. The report contains references to old cottages which have been repaired and to others which might be made habitable at small expense. It is good to know that some at least of the local authorities are availing themselves of the Society's special knowledge of such problems.
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