74 CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES' MEETING AT DOVER. 



Again, it holds, by gift, the most beautiful bit of cliff that overlooks 

 Barmouth, ils estuary and seashore, with the distinct understanding that no 

 other walks than those at present in existence sh.ill l)e 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 XlVth 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 XlXth and XXth centuries 

 may realise how men of the XlVth 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. B\ 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 los. includes 

 membership and copies of the report, and entitles to a voice in the annual 

 election of members of the Council and Officers of tl'.e 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 

 enclosmg the Grant's Caiisewa\-, and Mr. Vaughan Cornish 

 inquired to what e.xteut the aims and objects of the National 

 Trust were those of other Societies ? Mr. Blakiston replied 



