286 



fied." The definition of ancient monuments includes everything which is of such anti- 

 quity that it cannot be regarded any more as belonging to any particular owner, and 

 embraces all kinds of sepulchral monuments, sites of old towns, ruined churches and 

 walls, etc. If the site is already in use for agriculture, the owner must not dig down 

 further than he or his predecessors have done without special permission. If the con- 

 struction of any public work is expected to interfere with any existing monument the 

 authorities must be informed so that a competent person may be sent to examine the 

 work " without undue interference." Destruction of monuments is punishable by 

 fine. All ancient objects must be brought to the Historical Museum to be valued. 

 Monuments, painted or otherwise, in churches must not be disturbed or injured without 

 leave of the proper authorities. An inventory must be taken of Church property, 

 which, if required, may be periodically examined by the Royal Antiquary (an office which 

 dates back to the time of Gustavus Adolphus) or his deputy. 



United States. An Act of Congress was approved on the 'June 8, 1906 for the pres- 

 ervation of American antiquities. Under it the President is authorised, in his discre- 

 tion, t6 declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric 

 structures and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated upon the 

 lands owned or controlled by the Government, to be national monuments. If such 

 objects are situated upon a bona fide unperfected claim or held in private ownership, 

 the tract, or so much thereof as may be necessary for the proper care and management 

 of the object, may be relinquished to the Government, and the Secretary of the Interior 

 is authorised to accept the relinquishment of such tract on behalf of the United States. 

 Permits for the examination of ruins, etc., under their jurisdiction may be granted by 

 the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture and War, to competent institutions, provided 

 that the enquiry is undertaken for the benefit of reputable museums, universities, etc., 

 with a view to increasing the knowledge of such objects, and that the " finds " shall be 

 handed over for permanent preservation in public museums. The Secretary of the 

 Interior reports that the only practical work carried out by his Department for the 

 preservation of ruins, etc., has been in the Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. 



Conclusion. It is evident that there is no lack of regulations in civilised countries 

 for the preservation of ancient monuments. But in despite of them not a few memorials, 

 both chattels and structures, disappear yearly owing to preventable causes; they perish 

 by neglect, or they are sold and removed from their original surroundings, or it may be 

 that they lose their character owing to ignorant restoration. In England the public 

 conscience has been shocked by proposals to remove the mantelpieces at Tattershall 

 Castle and the Globe room from the Reindeer Inn, and demands have been made for 

 State interference. But the Inspector of Ancient Monuments is very near the truth when 

 he declares in his annual report (1912) that " the ultimate protectors of national anti- 

 quities are the people themselves." The State indeed is powerless to preserve monu- 

 ments except within a limited sphere without the sanction of an educated public opinion. 

 Such dangers as the deadening of the public conscience due to the feeling that someone 

 else is or should be responsible for the care of monuments, the tacit assumption by many 

 that any monuments but those adjudged to be of " national " value may safely be al- 

 lowed to decay or be sold out of the country, the encouragement towards careless treat- 

 ment if it is felt that the State will more readily accept responsibility for monuments 

 that are in a bad condition, and the power of arresting natural architectural develop- 

 ment, are real dangers inherent in State action; and, unless particular care is taken to 

 guard against them, largely counterbalance the value of the State's good example in 

 selected cases and its ability to use the public purse freely on great occasions.' 



See Inventories issued by the Royal Commissions on Ancient and Historical Monuments 

 for England, Scotland and Wales; Reports from H. M. Representatives abroad showing 

 the systems adopted in certain foreign countries (Cd. 6200; 1912); Report of the Inspector 

 of Ancient Monuments for the year ending March 31, 1912; Report from the Joint Select 

 Committee of the House of Lords and the House of Commons on the Ancient Monuments 

 Consolidation and Amendment Bill, etc. (Nov. 1912). (X.) 



