A Critic of the National Trust Sm.—Harold Nicolson's recent lament
that more people do not become members of the National Trust has brought to actuality a letter oftea mused upon. As I am by trade a research worker, it is my habit to enquire closely into the circumstances attending each phenomenon ; and also only last summer I thought of joining the National Trust. My motives for not doing so thus provide me with data to hand.
Both my children are keen on antique and architectural things ; my son of five is able to distinguish a Norman from a Gothic arch, and my daughter of nine is beginning to be interested in the different phases of the Georgian style. We visit N.T. properties from time to time, and being, as men of my trade are, of humble means, I considered that it would pay me to become a member. But my 10s. would only give free admittance to me personally, so that I should have to continue to pay up to 2s. 6d. for my wife and each of my children. There was not even available, at a somewhat higher subscription, a family ticket, nor any provision, as at the R.H.S. gardens at Wisley, for members to take in a limited number of friends. Chance or the unconscious, I know not, but we visited no more N.T. properties that summer.
Surely, even with the narrow object of increasing its income, the N.T. should pay some economist a modest fee to outline to it the benefits of a discriminating monopoly. (I might add that some N.T. doorkeepers unofficially let in children at half price, but most relentlessly abide by their instructions.) Perhaps the economist would also point out that even at week-ends in summer the places of interest under the Trust's care are not visited as they might be and that by reducing the price it is pos- sible to enlarge the total return. Half a crown per person, adult or child, lifts the demand curve well above the heads of most family men. And if the latter and their wives cannot afford to bring their children they prob- ably have to stay away themselves. Furthermore, it needs private research to find out which properties are within excursion distance. To tie person who has only vaguely heard of the National Trust, out of know- ledge is out of reach. " It Pays to Advertise."
One last grumble. It is aggravating, once the historic monument is located and entrance paid, that one may not view what to my family and me are the really interesting things. Why, for example, cannot one see the old rocking-horse at Knole or the retainers' quarters and the kind of furni- ture and tableware they used ? Why does one only see, at Pplesdea Lacey, Mrs. Greville's rather gaudy show-rooms, and not the more inti- mate apartments or the kitchens? These are more valuable social docu- ments than her Dresden or Imari ware.—Yours faithfully, 41 Upper Bridge Road, Redhill, Surrey. D. H. Starr.
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