74 CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES' MEETING AT DOVER.
Again, it holds, by gift, the most beautiful bit of cliff that overlooks
Barmouth, its estuary and seashore, with the distinct understanding that no
other walks than those at present in existence shall be made ; that it shall
be grazed, as heretofore, by sheep ; and that no harm shall be done to the
gorse that grows upon it.
The gift of land on Toys' Hill, near Oxted, Kent, has secured to the
lover of English scenery one of those views of green foreground and distant
background of blue hills, so characteristic of the country. Another and a
larger property, at Ide Hill, in the same district, will soon be acquired.
It has, also, cast upon it the burden of raising funds to put into tenant-
able repair an early XIVth century clergyhouse, at Alfriston, in Sussex, and
here, again, it has done all that loving care and wise direction could suggest
to retain in its ancient condition the construction, the timbering, and the
household arrangements, in order that men of the XIXth and XXth centuries
may realise how men of the XIVth had their habitation.
It has lately, at the will of the Trustees, taken under its care the Falkland
Monument, upon the Newbury Battle Field.
Nor have the claims of science escaped recognition. By the purchase
of land in Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, a portion of the primeval fen land
of East Anglia, with its plant and insect life, will remain undrained and
unmolested for ever.
The National Trust is not only a holder of natural scenery and ancient
buildings, but it also does what it can to promote local interest in the pre-
servation of any worthy historical object or of natural beauty.
Whether it be a waterfall destroyed as in the case of Foyers, or an old bit
of Sir Christopher Wren's London, the Trinity Almshouses, Whitechapel,
that is threatened, or the quietude of Kynance Cove and the destruction of
the rocks of the Cornish foreshore, near the Lizard, or the alteration of the
line of the shore at Chelsea that is brought under its notice, or the need of
obtaining such a pleasure ground as Churchyard Bottom Wood for the
people, the Trust, working sometimes alone, at other times in conjunction
with kindred societies, brings its influence to bear in the direction and spirit
of its promoters.
It may be useful to add that a minimum subscription of 10s. includes
membership and copies of the report, and entitles to a voice in the annual
election of members of the Council and Officers of the Trust.
Mr. Blakiston concluded by remarking that it was proposed to form a
Federation of Archaeological and Naturalist Societies throughout the country,
with the view of accomplishing what could not be achieved either by a
Central Society acting by itself or by local Societies acting by themselves.
The proposed scheme for federation would probably be issued by the National
Trust during next month.
The work of the National Trust was generally approved by
the delegates present. Mr. Gray gave some account of the
unsuccessful attempt at Belfast to prevent a Syndicate from
enclosing the Grant's Causeway, and Mr. Vaughan Cornish
inquired to what extent the aims and objects of the National
Trust were those of other Societies ? Mr. Blakiston replied