82 
NATURE NOTES. 
glazed inscriptions setting forth the names of some popular 
remedy, are planted in the fields, so that you shall scarcely be 
able to glance out of window at the country without seeing one 
or more of them. A correspondent last year [N. N., 1892, p. 
235) wrote strongly, yet not a whit more so than the matter 
deserves, about this practice, which has hitherto been allow'ed 
to increase unchecked. 
Not too soon, therefore, and yet we hope not too late, has this 
abuse of advertising attracted serious attention. Last month we 
deprecated the multiplication of societies, but we have nothing 
save encouragement for the National Society for Checking the 
Abuses of Public Advertising, although we could wish that it had 
found a shorter name. Formed only on the 14th of last February, 
it already numbers in its ranks many representatives of art, 
science, literature, and other branches of culture — amongst them 
Sir W. H. Flower, Sir Edward Fry, Mr. William IMorris, Mr. 
Robert Bridges, Mr. Alfred Austin, Mr. P. G. Hamerton, Mr. 
W. B. Richmond, Mr. A. Waterhouse, Professor Ray Lankester, 
Mr. Lecky, Mr. Walter Besant, Mrs. Humphrey Ward, and Mrs. 
Richmond Ritchie. 
The objects of the Society as at present defined are only 
two ; — - 
(1) Of checking the abuse of the practice of spectacular 
advertising. 
(2) Of protecting and promoting the picturesque simplicity of 
rural and river scenes, and the dignity and propriety of our large 
towns. 
These are developed in an admirable little circular which will 
be forwarded, with list of members, by the Hon. Secretary pro 
tan., Mr. Richardson Evans, Camp View, Wimbledon. The 
annual subscription is only half-a-crown, and we trust that many 
Selbornians will enrol themselves as members. The Rev. Pre- 
bendary Reynolds, 5, Amen Court, E.C., is Hon. Treasurer, 
and will receive donations and subscriptions. “ It is essential 
to the authority and efficiency of the Society that it should 
represent, demonstrably, a large body of sober opinion through- 
out the countr}?. If there is any risk of failure, it lies in the 
diffidence or the despondency of those wdio feel the need of 
remedy. The number of those who can give active personal 
help may be limited, but all who join are thereby contributing 
necessary assistance.” 
.\lthough so young, the Society has already set to work. “ A 
legal Sub-Committee is engaged in investigating the present 
condition of the law with regard to the powers of control and 
the rating of hoardings. The provisional Committee has also 
been in communication with others interested respecting Bills 
now before Parliament.” A public meeting for the election of 
officers (all of whom will be honorary), and for other business 
will be held in May, but the date has not been fi.xed at the time 
of our going to press. It will doubtless be widely advertised, 
and we trust Selbornians will attend in full force. 
