I was in Sussex the other day revisiting a scene
of ruin among the Downs between Brighton and Newhaven— that once most beautiful part of the Downland dear to the „heart of W. H. Hudson, Kipling and Belloc,- now already spoilt or threatened by outrageous building ; and I felt peculiar gratitude to those patriotic people of Eastbourne and elsewhere who. had subscribed to save a famous .stretch of hillside above the Seven Sisters from a similar fate. The organizers were right to hand over this pro- perty to the National Trust, which has done splendid work in preserving so many fine stretches of Britain for the perpetual enjoyment of the public. But on this one occasion the Trust has blundered, and its committee I am sure will be the first to recognize that the same public .interest which makes their work possible may properly be enlisted even against themselves, when they make an unwise arrangement to let the site for a Territorial Summer Camp. Such a mistake is not likely to recur. The outburst of public criticism was justified, and has been sufficient. But it is to .be hoped there will be no more nonsensical talk about the uselessness of sub- scribing to . the National Trust, whose unique and magnificent work is beyond question.
JANt s.
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