It is with pleasure we have to note a marked increase in the interest 

 taken in ancient defensive works and sepulchral memorials. 



It is seldom that the programme of an archDeological society's 

 excursion does not include some ancient earthwork, camp or castle site ; 

 more attention is given to our subject both in the transactions of 

 societies and in the public press, and the honorary secretary receives 

 evidence of increased interest in numerous letters coming from all parts 

 of the country. 



These facts are gratifying to us as archaeologists, l)ut at the same 

 time with sorrow we note that respect for the relics of the past has not 

 yet spread sufficiently to check the constantly recurring instances of 

 destruction. 



We again ask the archaeological societies not to overlook the need 

 for complete schedules of earthworks existing in the districts included 

 in their respective spheres, being convinced that the judicious circulation 

 of such lists will aid to stay the hands of the destroyer. It is remarkable 

 to see how quickly the owner of a previously despised possession begins 

 to value it when he finds that other people consider it of importance, 

 and as few of our country's prehistoric remains are protected by law it 

 is the more important to influence those who own the vast majority of 

 them. 



We may mention that schedules are being prepared by the 

 Yorkshire Archaeological Society, the East Herts Archaeological 

 Society, the Cardiff Naturalists, and, we believe, by a few other 

 societies who have not yet informed us of their efforts in this 

 direction. 



Apart from destruction of ancient works of earth or stone for 

 utilitarian purposes, minor influences tend to their mutilation, to these 

 the attention of owners and occupiers of the land may well be drawn 

 by archaeological societies. 



For example, great trees, perhaps centuries old, grow on the 

 ramparts of an ancient camp, a tree is blown down or may be stubbed 

 up, a large bite is thereby eaten out of the bank and nothing is done 

 to fill up the hollow thus created, though the cost of so doing is 

 infinitesimal ! 



Rabbits are permitted to burrow at their own sweet will, gradually 

 causing the banks to crumble and lose their continuity, while 

 gardeners and others are allowed to remove barrow-loads of the light 

 material. 



