LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
A KENTISH HILL-VIEW FOR THE PEOPLE.
[To TEM EDITOR OF THS STICTATOR.1
Sin,—In the Spectator of July 29th there appeared an interesting letter contrasting our English scenery with Australian landscape. The writer dwelt especially on the great beauty of the view from the hills over Surrey and the Weald of Kent. " The grace of it "—he says—" rounded hills and leafy valleys, the dark green of the plantations, the bright green of the meadows, the waving wheatfielda poppy- flushed, the hint of far-off church spires, of nested villages, of orchard girdled farmhouses all bathed in June sunshine,— where can earth show anything fairer ? " The English public has now an opportunity of securing for all time a hill slope commanding this view, to be preserved in its rural beauty from all chance of enclosure or building. The scheme is to purchase fifteen acres of land on the top of Ide Hill in Kent, which will be vested in the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beanty. The total meat will be £1.750, of which £1.399 has already been contributed. There thus remains about f350 to be raised,
and the treasurer of the National Trust, or I myself, will gladly receive subscriptions, large or small. It will be interesting to your readers to recall that the National Trust, which thus comes forward to preserve such sites of excep- tional beauty for the public, was founded partly in conse- quence of a suggestion made in your columns some few years ago, that it was incumbent on us not only to purchase pictures for the National Gallery, but also those living pictures—the landscapes of England—for the joy and rest of her people.—I am, Sir, &c., OCTAVIA. HILL. 190 Marylebone Road, N.W.
[We most heartily endorse Miss Octavia Hill's appeal. Tuere is no safer form of charity than securing a piece of upland with a view, for public enjoyment for ever.— En. Spectator.]
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