DEFACING MALHAMDALE.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—Whenever the beauty spots of England have been in danger, you have always used your good influence to prevent their loss, defilement, or violation. May I appeal to you ?
A large group of urban and rural authorities, who serve the whole of the Craven District of the West Riding of York- shire, have suddenly and quite unexpectedly pounced upon Malhamdale, have selected a site and are preparing plans to build a small-pox hospital. I enclose a copy of a petition which has been signed by 99 per cent. of the adult population. It recognizes the need for such an institution, but we hold strong views about the site:which are set forth with moderation.
Will you, Sir, do us the favour of reading the petition and ' then give us your support in our war against such an offence ? .We know of several sites eminently suitable for such an insti- tution which would in no way injure the locality. There are areas in Craven which even a Yorkshireman would not praise nor regard as a holiday resort.
We are confident that the present scheme will bring financial loss—disastrous to many of our dalesmen, serious to most of them. But apart from our natural attitude of self-preserva- tion, we maintain that it is little less than a crime against the thousands who annually visit the Dale to contaminate a district which Kingsley immortalized in Water Babies and which is the proud possessor of two features unique in England —Malham Cove and Gordale Scar, both of which stand on ground belonging to the British public under an award dated 1857.
We in Malhamdale are only a small community, little able to help ourselves ; but, small as we are, we mean to fight to the last ditch. I plead with you on behalf of my people and of all lovers of English scenery to help us in rousing public opinion against such a heartless crime.—I am, Sir, &c.,
W. R. N. BARON, Vicar of Malhamdale.
[We most sincerely trust that another site will be found for the small-pox hospital. The Yorkshire Scars are part of our National Gallery of Natural Pictures, and it would be a capital error to spoil one of the beauty spots of England when no necessity exists for the act.—En. Spectator.]
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