106 The Thirty -third General Meeting. 



and bearing in mind the irreparable injury to the stones constantly 

 going on at the hands of thoughtless or mischievous tourists, the 

 time has come when the monument should be properly protected. 

 First, by a fence which should exclude all carriages and horses 

 from the area ; but in lieu of any unsightly railing which 

 would destroy the wild character of Stonehenge, a sunk fence, or 

 ha-ha, is the barrier strongly recommended, and that too at a 

 considerable distance beyond the trench which encircles the precincts 

 proper. Second, by the appointment of a caretaker, who should be 

 in responsible charge of the monument, with power to enforce the 

 regulations with which he would be provided ; who should admit 

 all visitors through one entrance only, near the stone known as the 

 " Friar's Heel " ; prevent all picnicing within the precincts ; and, 

 above all, prevent all injury to the stones, whether by chipping or 

 marking, or scratching or standing on them. Whether the salary 

 of such caretaker should be provided by a small entrance fee, or 

 otherwise, would be a matter of after consideration. 

 So far as regards the protection of Stonehenge. 



The deputation has no desire to see the ^restoration " of Stonehenge, 

 and with this view is not in favour of the replacement in an upright 

 position of the tall leaning stone, which is so remarkable a feature 

 of the monument, and whose readjustment has been advocated by 

 many leading archseologists. At the same time perhaps means 

 should be used to secure it in its present position ; for the fall of 

 such a stone would be a dire calamity. The deputation does, how- 

 ever, recommend very earnestly the following precautionary measures 

 to be carried out as early as possible. (1) The stones 6 and 7, with 

 their lintel, to be pushed back into their original position, and secured 

 there, when the unsightly wooden props and buttresses could be re- 

 moved. (2) The stones 25 and 1, with their impost, to be in like 

 manner pushed back into position, and secured there, before they lean 

 farther towards the outside and fall, as they threaten to do at no 

 distant date, unless previously attended to. (3) The stone known as 

 the " Friar's Heel/' which is very much inclined, to be carefully ex- 

 amined, and, if pronounced unsafe, to be securely fixed. The 



