A PHYSICAL COMMEMORATION OF _MAGNA CHARTA [To the Editor of
the SPECTATOR.] SIR,--There has come from the historic Field .of Runnymede a great and lasting influence known to free men everywhere. And there has gone back to that beautiful and treasured spot in its exquisite surroundings,.laved by that Stream of Liquid History—the Thames—revirenee and gratitude for the event which occurred there seven centuries ago. Should not this feeling be appropriately crystallized by some physical com- memoration, not only of Magna Charts, but of the field itself, the Council meadow where, perhaps, consultative government began—a commemoration to be joined in by all those of our race in the uttermost parts of the earth as well as by other races who have become bone of our bone and flesh of our Cull? Let all of us who feel thus strongly help to erect on Runny-, mede a great cairn, the gift of the people of Great Britain: of the Great Republic, and of the Dominions beyond the seas, whose liberties were so greatly moulded on that field. Let their various provinces and states, their legislative assemblies and parliaments, their towns and cities, their colleges and universities, their church organizations and others also join as corporate bodies in this work of love. Pile these stones in Runnymede Field. The very simplicity of the cairn, --its obvious lack of design, the sentiment back of the stones from many nations will give us a most noteworthy monument. It will carry the mind back through the centuries to the
method by which great events were then commemorated, and carry a lasting appeal to thinking minds everywhere. Such a cairn would grip and hold the imagination and serve as an outstanding object on " The Meadow of Ronimede between Windlesor and Stanes," and would, in a measure, take the place of the legendary oak under 'which the • Charter was granted. There would be a solid base laid broad and deep by the people of Great Britain, upon which the cairn would be built, on the stones of which would be deeply graved the name of the State or province, university or college, &c., which sent them.
We are familiar with the important battles of the world,
but how many of us are faitiliar with the decisive documents in human liberty, themselves battles of the greatest moment ? It would be a graceful and worthy thing for the States of the English-speaking world and their institutions and people to erect so simple a tribute on so hallowed a spot. There is a spiritual bond of unity between us all, emphasized so greatly by the event occurring at 'Runnymede and through the instruments which have grown out of it, a very oak of freedom whose branches encompass the world. Let us make known this bond of unity in some such way as this and give the world an influence which would not be without its effect in many countries. 'Monuments are frequently erected to great men and women, and it is eminently fitting that a great and historic event which has left its mark 'throughout the world as few events have done should be commemorated in this way.— Founder, Magna Charts Day Association. 147 Kent Street, St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A.
[We find the -project of a cairn proposed by Mr. Hamilton; who has made Magna Charta an object of worship and who deserves the gratitude of all who speak the EngliSh tongue, very attractive. One likes to think of Dominion and American visitors going to look for their stone in the cairn—the stone marked with the name:of Manitoba or Rhode Island or New South Wales or Natal or of any other .com- munity where the Common 'Law—" the law of the land " as the Charta calls it—holds. The meadow, most famous of all the pastures of the world—the very grass where Liberty first turned and stood at bay should tell its sacred -story to all comers.—En. Spectator.]
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