THE DOVER EXPRESS AND EAST KENT NEWS—FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1901.

III. ST. MARGARET’S-AT-CLIFFE.

Including the Bay and the New Estates.

St. Margaret’s-at-Cliffe, one of the chief of our villages, shows signs of becoming at no distant date a town, for the pleasure-loving folk are smitten with the charms of fair Margarita, and the land speculators, accompanied by the enterprising builders, are following in her train. It is not necessary, however, to discount the future. The village, as it is, abounds with interesting features.

Ways to St. Margaret’s.

There are many ways to St. Margaret's from Dover. There is the romantic walk along the edge of the cliff, with the Corn hill Coastguard Station and the South Foreland Lighthouse en route. If the cliff be closely followed this way leads to the western horn of the Bay, or a way branching off leads into the village. Then, there is the old road, which skirts the top of the Northfall Meadow, passes the detached Military Quarters, originally erected for the Convict Prison warders, and passing thence over an open breezy country, enters St. Margaret’s near the Church. Also there is the Deal Road, up Castle Hill, which offers alternate routes, one the ordinary carriage road, which leaves the turnpike just beyond Swingate and passing through West Cliffe, enters the village at Townsend Farm; or, the Deal Road may be left at Broadleas Bottom, and a path over the fields by Bere Farm and Wood again joins the carriage road last mentioned as it enters the village. All these are pleasant ways, but the Dover and Deal Railway from Dover to Martin Mill is for all times and all weathers a very convenient way. After leaving Martin Mill Station it is a walk or drive of one mile and a half on a good road to the village.

A Land of Promise.

Leaving the Deal Road at Martin Cross, we are once impressed with the idea that we are entering a Land of Promise. For although the road is from 12 to 18 feet wide, as good as they make them in the Rural Districts, there is also on the north-east side, outside the wire fence, a roadside waste of from 12 to 15 feet, and a slight effort of imagination transforms this into a nice; 40-foot road margined with villas. That is evidently somebody’s idea of what this way to St. Margaret’s will be in the future, perhaps with an electric tramline to the Station and a lift at the Bay, to make complete the communication with St. Margaret’s silvery sea.

Something more than a Promise.

As we gain the crest of the hill, which gives a view of St. Margaret’s Church and the village grouped round it, we notice that the intervening land to the left sloping seaward is intersected by roads and adorned with numerous largely-lettered boards which compel the passer to notice that this is the Nelson Park Building Estate, of which so much has recently appeared in the papers. On some of the boards are bills of the last land sale, from which we learn that the first section of the estate has all been sold, and that the second section is being proceeded with at the rate of 175 plots at each sale, and the fact is mentioned that in the first section there were 60 local buyers. The associations of the great naval hero after whom the estate is named, supply the names for the new roads. Leaving the main road at right angles, at intervals of about 100 yards, are Trafalgar Road, Victory Road, Nelson Park Road, Hardy Road, and Collingwood Road. These roads are, at present chalk tracks through a corn field, for although several hundreds of building plots have been sold, only on the margin of the estate next the village have building operations been commenced. There one house has been built by Mr. Shilson, and at a little distance therefrom, Mr. James Samuel builder, has put in the foundations of a pair of villas, opposite which there is a notice that houses and shops will shortly be built, which promise is backed by large clamps of bricks and piles of building material.

St. Margaret's as it was.

Now we approach St. Margaret’s as it was before the introduction of new ideas. Just past Nelson Park Estate is Cliff Place, the first of the old village, and up the sloping road is Rose Bank on the one side, and Townsend Farm on the other, where the clump of trees marks the junction with the carriage road to Dover. Here we see St. Margaret’s-at-Cliffe of the early Victorian period. The Red Lion Inn is an old landmark, and hard by are the Schools and the Church, while the way towards the sea at this point is of that zig-zaggy nature which was common before local authorities took control of building operations.

Modern Local Features.

In passing through this part of the village there are certain features which indicate the change from rural to urban life. The Post Office, of which Mr. J. B. Madge is the Post master, is quite a large establishment, and in addition to the usual postal, money order, and Post Office Bank facilities, there is a telegraph office. The National Telephone Company has a public call office at Mr. Doubleday’s grocery stores, opposite the Red Lion. The National Provincial Bank has a branch office here, while there are several business-like brass plates which indicate that the village has been invaded by professional men.

A Church of Great Interest.

The Church of St. Margaret’s calls for more than passing notice, for with the exception of the soil on which it stands it is by far the most ancient feature of the village, and may be seen from far away across the country. A flight of steps from the public road leads up to its north entrance, which is covered by a substantial porch, in which there are stone seats and a holy water stoup. Walking round to the western door, we notice a curious pediment, over which are three heads in weatherworn stonework, which are said to be emblematical of the Trinity. The interior is very fine, consisting of a nave with clerestory, side aisle, and chancel. The columns and arches which separate the nave and aisles are very fine, the capitals curiously embellished with sculptured figures, and the arches enriched with zig-zag and other work. The grandest arch, however, is that which separates the nave from the chancel. It is semicircular, and rests on capitals very beautifully sculptured. The exterior of the church shows a very unique arcade running along each side, on a level with the clerestory. The tower is square and a rather heavy structure. It formerly had four turrets, which gave it a lighter and nobler appearance, but one of these being blown down by a storm in the year 1711, the others, which were somewhat damaged, were also removed. The ancient monuments in the churchyard are interesting, and some, which are still legible, are in memory of persons who took part in St. Margaret’s affairs more than three centuries ago. But even the time which separates us from the day of those old residents seems short compared with the age of the church under whose shadows they rest.

The Morley Home.

Passing seaward, the Hope Inn greets us, and then we come to a striking feature of St. Margaret’s—the Morley House Convalescent Home. The structure presents very fine external architectural features, and its ample well kept grounds are approached by a handsome gateway. This is a Convalescent Home for working men, supported mainly by London subscribers, and is now under the control of Mr. and Mrs. Lendon, who act as Superintendent and Matron. We had the pleasure of running through the establishment under the direction of the matron. The dining hall, which just then had the tables laid for a meal, has accommodation for 120. It is a bright and beautiful room, which must, by its cheerfulness, help to give the diners good digestion. The walls are appropriately decorated, the principal adornment being a memorial of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. Leading off the dining hall is the library, with easy chairs and lounges, the shelves around the walls being filled with interesting books. Beyond this is the recreation room, amply stocked with appliances for games, and at the end is a small platform, performances being frequently given there. We made a pilgrimage up the stairs and along the corridors on the first and second floors, and looked in at the whole of the bedrooms, bathrooms, and lavatories, all of which are scrupulously clean and very conveniently arranged. Up the stone staircases run the pipes from the East Kent Waterworks, with nozzles and hose, in the corridors are fire buckets, and in two of the rooms are fire chutes, by which the inmates could be safely let down from the windows to the ground. Owing to the substantial nature of the buildings a serious fire does not seem likely to occur, but panic in establishments of this sort have serious effects, and the Committee of Morley House have wisely taken every precaution for the safety of those under their charge. A few bedrooms and a sitting room on the first floor are specially reserved for convalescents sent down from the City Police Force. Entering so many rooms in quick succession, there grows up a little fogginess as to details, but generally it may be remarked that the Home consists mainly of two wings, the Caxton Wing, which is the oldest, opened nearly 20 years ago, and the Victoria Wing, which was opened by the Earl of Aberdeen on the 4th May, 1898. The Victoria Wing is the best part of the house, the Committee when that was built having more funds and more experience than when they commenced operations. As to the arrangements by which convalescents come to this Home, we may mention that the introduction is by means of a subscriber’s letter, which entitles the patient to stay at least three weeks, the patient himself paying in advance 4s. per week to cover that period. To facilitate convalescence another week may be added to the stay, while for a longer sojourn, which is not usual, a fresh letter from a subscriber is required. The list of subscribers is a very long one, and the receipts from the London Saturday and Sunday Hospital Funds last year amounted to £470, the subscriptions and donations amounted to £1,642, and other sources of income make a grand total of £3,383. Towards this amount the payments by patients were only £557 12s. 11d., which represents 2,788 weeks, and, reckoning the period of stay of three weeks each man, that accounts for nearly 1,000 patients passing through this excellent Convalescent Home in course of the year. Dr. Pollard is the medical officer of the Home. If our reference to the Morley Home has aroused interest in the mind of any reader who would like to glean further information, it may be obtained by application to Mr. William Wood, the Secretary, offices, 13 and 14, King-street, Cheapside, London, E.C.

New Non-Conformist Chapel.

Just over the way, from the Morley Home, has been recently built a Baptist Chapel. The Non-Conformists have held meetings in the village for more than thirty years. For several years there has been a small Baptist place of worship in a by-lane, and the Kent and Sussex Baptist Association have a colporteur here, making this the centre of a district. To replace the old chapel, the new place of worship was built two years ago. It is a pretty structure of gothic design, built with red and pale bricks, so used as to give effective ornamentation, and on the roof dark blue and light blue slates are used with the same object. There are live lancet windows on each side in the body of the chapel. At the south there is the main entrance and lobby, and at the north a vestry. An inscription in front indicates that the principal stone of this building was laid on the 23rd November, 1899, by J. L. Bradley, Esq., J.P., of Dover, and the builder was Mr. J. Morgan, of Dover.

Recreation in St. Margaret’s.

The joyful sound of youthful voices in an adjoining field reminded us of St. Margaret’s facilities for recreation. The sound comes from the Cricket Club, who are in full swing in a Saturday afternoon match with a neighbouring team. This same field is used for St. Margaret’s Sports, which form an attractive annual event. The Schoolroom already noticed is frequently used during the winter for entertainments, which are got up and managed with great ability. There is a Mutual Improvement Club conducted in a building nearly opposite the schools, and the St. Margaret’s Golf Club have their headquarters at Rose Bank, and the links are well arranged for this fashionable recreation, which here finds many votaries.

The First Modern Development.

From the village to the Bay there is, so say the guide books, a walk of a quarter of a mile. The actual distance we should say is more, but the unoccupied interval between the village and the Bay residences is now very small owing to the gradual growth of villas on the St. Margaret’s Bay Land Company’s Estate, which comprises the whole of the land on the north-east side of the road from the village right up to the edge of the cliff. This is the estate which first began to exploit St. Margaret’s as a seaside resort just 20 years ago. At that time Earl Granville, being Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and resident at the neighbouring Castle of Walmer, began to take an interest in the place, and it was decided to transform a part of his estate on the sunny slopes overlooking the Bay into sites for marine residences. This estate has now a large number of pretty houses upon it, occupying positions which it would not be possible to surpass. The first built was “Hillside,” and after that the Granville Arms Hotel, which was the first modern hotel accommodation provided here for visitors. This estate is still developing, and we gathered from a notice board upon it that enquiries respecting the land should be made to Messrs. Worsfold and Hayward, Dover, and Mr. Walter Emden, architect, of 105, Strand, London.

The Coastguard Station.

We are now on the top of the gap above the Bay, where to our right stands the new Coastguard Station in a commanding situation, with its flagstaff towering high, the wind waving the flag and whistling through the stays. The staff stands on a projecting green plateau, and, the gravel path to it, and the circle of gravel around it, is prettily margined with whitened flints. The terrace in front of the station commands a splendid view of the Straits, and the telescope, on the stand near the flagstaff, enables the guardians of our coast to keep a close watch on the ups and downs of the Channel, and also affords them a useful glimpse of the opposite shore.

What are the Weird Wires Saying?

As we stand on this commanding spot, there is a song in our ears, the weird song of the wires which here converge from the Metropolis and from other parts of the United Kingdom—telegraph wires and telephone wires, like a thousand-stringed instrument, singing a farewell song before taking their deep submarine dive. As the wind blows in from the sea amongst these multitudinous wires, the music made is a mournful minor cadence, in accord, no doubt, with the messages those wires are tarrying, for inasmuch as no news is usually good news, so when these wires are employed they are chiefly occupied with tidings of the world’s tragedies, wrecks, commercial crises, battles, murder, sudden deaths, and other mundane troubles, from which we habitually pray to be delivered.

The South Foreland Building Estate.

Looking westward from this commanding position, we see in the near foreground the Hermitage, the property of the Cecils, nestling amongst the trees over the western horn of the Bay, with its grounds up the slope. Further away in that direction is the South Foreland Building Estate, which has been brought into the market by the National Land Corporation, of 18, Adam-street, London, W.C. The whole of this has been plotted out with roads and building lots. A large portion of these sites have been sold, the estate looking very pretty with its crescents and terraces on the lithographed plans, but those who have purchased the many building sites which have changed hands do not hurry their building operations; a beginning has been made by the building of a bungalow, erected by Captain Jalland, on the cliff about half way between the Lower Lighthouse and the Hermitage.

The Lighthouses.

Of the far-famed South Foreland Lighthouses we get a view from here, and they should be mentioned as a feature of interest. The electric light was first used in these beacon towers in the year 1856, oil having been the previous illuminant, and before that the flame was fed by billets of wood and coals. The mention of the Hermitage below, reminds us that as long ago as the year 1367 the Archbishop Langham granted indulgences to those in his diocese who contributed towards the maintenance of a hermit who lived in a cave in the neighbouring cliff, and who hung up a lantern to guide ships at sea. That is the traditional origin of the South Foreland Light.

Down to the Bay.

After this prospecting pause we make our descent by a long flight of steps to the Bay level. The steps are kept in good order by the Parish Council, and at two points there are recesses in which there are seats, which must be very welcome to those who are ascending. The seats are gifts to the public, placed there under the charge of the Parish Council. After proceeding halfway down, our curiosity raised the question “How many of these steps ?" and a visitor on one of the seats saved us the trouble of going back to count by kindly volunteering the information that the exact number is 209. In addition to these, there is a long sloping road at the bottom before reaching the shore. Surely these ups and down and the long stretch from the village to the Railway Station, is the real reason why the excellent sites have not been filled up with marine residences. If the owners of those sites would put together their capital to make a Tramway to the Station and a Lift from the beach they would earn dividends and sell their building land. Of course there is the sea defences question, of which something anon, but the sea encroachments do not jeopardize St. Margaret’s-on-the-Cliffs. The real drawback is the up and down and the cross country stretch, and these might be easily and profitably overcome by the judicious investment of capital in a Tram and a Lift.

Between the Hermitage and the Sea.

Passing down the sloping road beyond the steps, our attention was arrested by a public notice erected by the Parish Council “Public footpath to Dover and the Cliffs.” We followed this path, which, like another good path, is narrow, and it is overhung by foliage which might very well be cropped. The path, at a considerable elevation, runs between the Hermitage and the sea, a part of the Hermitage grounds being on the lower side of it, abutting on the shore. The path ascends, and towards its farther end becomes steeper, and steps lead up to the cliffs, from whence there is a public walk to Dover. The path was somewhat neglected and in danger of being lost when the Parish Council came into existence, and its conservation is one of the good things that that body has done for St. Margaret’s.

A Path which the Sea Threatens.

From the cliff edge, a flight of zigzag steps leads down to the beach. Some eight or nine years ago the owner of the Hermitage did something to restore this ancient path, and the Parish Council have since taken an interest in it, but the sea has recently swallowed up about a dozen steps at the lower end, making this approach to the beach rather difficult, and it looks as though the difficulty will be increased by the devouring sea unless something be done to conserve the 124 steps that remain.

Is the Bay in Danger ?

Having now reached the beach, we are in a position to take note of the probable extent of the impending danger to the Bay by the inroads of the sea. On the western side of Bay, with the exception of the steps above mentioned, there is no property immediately threatened. The sea appears to be denuding the shore and is inclined to re-occupy the old beach which was evidently washed by the waves generations ago. If the owner of the Hermitage thought it worth while to improve the groynes no doubt the western side of the Bay would be secure for generations to come. The “Green Man” seems safe enough, and in his confidence the owner has flanked its greensward with a new covered booth for the enjoyment of his customers in the coming summer. Further on, beyond the cable house, where Mr. Adcock has some new villas on the Bay level, there does not seem much danger of the sea encroaching so far as to undermine them, but as we go east the danger seems more real. The road is made rough by shingle thrown up by the waves, and the stout revetment of timber and concrete is undermined and the backing washed out, and part of the road gone. This is the state of the case opposite the old Coastguard Cottages now transformed into seaside visitors' quarters. Opposite St. Margaret’s Bay Hotel the sea has been fenced off by very strong work, but the gales have been playing Old Harry with it during the past winter. The Hotel, however, is quite safe, and the road to it is sound, although a bit rough owing to thrown-up shingle; but the annexe to the Hotel, a little further on, is threatened, and the extreme corner of the boundary wall has been battered down. A few paces further on, the sea has made sad havoc of a new bungalow which had only been occupied about three months before the sea assailed it. This bungalow was well built on a good concrete foundation, and was protected by a stout timber and concrete revetment, but if it had been protected by a barricade of wall paper it would not have suffered worse. The sea has washed the shingle from under the front rooms, the walls, which seem to have been built with good materials, have fallen out in large blocks. The back part of the premises are still on the original foundations, and the front half simply hangs over shingle with nothing to support it but some timber props that have been put up since the storm that did the damage. This bungalow was built at the extreme east corner of the Bay, which the sea has been threatening the last seven years, and it is no great wonder that destruction has overtaken it. Briefly summing up these facts it may be said that for the last ten years the shore has been gradually denuded of beach, and during the last six years the property at the eastern side of the Bay has been threatened, strong timber revetment having been constructed to prevent the sea’s encroachments. These works have apparently been in vain, for the assaults of the sea have been more violent during the last winter than they have been previously, and although the statements that the whole of the Bay property will go if not protected is probably an exaggeration, there is sufficient reason to fear that further damage may be expected on the eastern side.

Is the Bay Worth Preserving?

This is the practical question which has been keenly debated at St. Margaret’s for several months. Everyone would like to see the Bay defended. The Rural District Council are sympathetic, but they have not the power to help, and if they had, the members do not think the money of the District ratepayers should be used for such a purpose. A good many ratepayers in St. Margaret’s Parish take the same view, and the question resulting narrows itself down to this, "Do the owners of property in the Bay think it worth their while to spend £5000, and at the tail of that have to meet a perpetual charge for the maintenance of the works?” If the Bay property all belonged to one person he might do something, but the property being held by several owners, and threatened in different degrees, it will be next to impossible to get them all to contribute equally or to agree to any sliding scale according to risk. It looks, therefore, as though the Bay must be left to the mercy of the sea. Let us hope it will be merciful. Out opinion is that, although some further damage may be done during the next two or three winters there will be a change as progress is made with the Eastern arm of the Admiralty Harbour at Dover, and that in the course of eight or ten years there will be more beach and sand in St. Margaret’s Bay than there ever was within the memory of persons now living. This is our opinion, and we sincerely trust it may come true.

The Bay as it is.

Dismissing fears, groundless or otherwise, before leaving the Bay we must bestow a few words of praise on this lovely spot. Closing our eyes on the wrecked Bungalow, all else is calm and peaceful. The sea washes the shingle so softly that the idea of any damage arising from that source seems absurd. St. Margaret’s Bay Hotel looks charming in its setting of greensward and flowers and the spray from a miniature fountain on the lawn diffuses a delicious coolness. The pretty villas, the wood built cottages, and the transformed Coastguard dwellings which marginate Bay Road, are all in season dress. Some of the bathing tents are already on the beach, others are being got ready for use, and whatever may happen next winter or after, it is pretty evident that this summer St. Margaret’s will be full and flourishing.

Yes, but the Lift is Wanting.

For the sake of variety we left the Bay by the Zigzag in front of the Granville Arms Hotel, and the pull up brought the lift again to mind. It was a pull up those two sloping sections, then the 64 steps, and after that a long and a strong pull up the incline which finds its summit at the Coastguard Station. All the way up the lift was under consideration. Will not some of the professional men and financiers who frequent this favourite place of resort consider whether they cannot promote a Lift Company without delay?

A Bit of St. Margaret’s History.

Having made the tour of the village and had our say on things in general, it will be wanting in proper respect for St. Margaret's to finish without giving an outline of its history. The first authentic information about St. Margaret’s is that which is recorded in the Domesday Survey made in the reign of the Conqueror. From that it appears that the land in the parish of St. Margaret’s was then held by nine persons, viz,. Sired, Radulf, Aldred, Robert Niger, Walter, Turbat, Edwine, Anchitill the Archdeacon, and Nigell the Physician. Most of them held a carucate of land each, which means, roughly, as much as a yoke of oxen would plough in a year. Between them these landholders appear to have had in their service 17 villains, that is, men who were partially slaves acting as personal attendants, and there were also 22 borderers, who were men who were attached to the estates, so that the whole community in the days of the Conqueror consisted apparently of 48 responsible persons, but how many had families it is not possible to determine. The whole of the lands were assessed at the annual value of £30. This was how matters stood after the Conquest, but the Domesday Book carries us back to the reign of Edward the Confessor. In his time, that is 1042, these lands at St. Margaret's were held in four cases by four persons above mentioned or their ancestors as prebends, that is, as part of the estate of a Church to which they rendered service. It is also on record that in Saxon times the borseholder, or head man, of St. Margaret’s was elected at the Priory of St. Martin’s in Dover, and it may be assumed that these lands were then held as a part of the estate of St. Martin’s, Dover, to whom the Manors of Reach, East Court, and Wanston Court belonged down to the dissolution of the Dover Priory in the time of Henry VIII. It was during the Saxon period that the Church of St. Margaret was built, presumably out of the revenues of the Priory of St. Martin, and was attached to the same, for it can hardly be supposed that so costly an edifice could have been erected for the use, and at the expense of the few landowners, borderers and villiens who formed the St. Margaret’s community at that period. It, may, therefore, be taken as an established fact that previous to the Conquest St. Margaret’s had its present Church, and that it had a settled law-abiding community. So much for the history of the parish and village. Of the history of the Bay there is little on record, but there is one fact which is important. About the year 1486 John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was the liberal promoter of several public works of utility, encouraged one Thomas Lawrence to construct a small pier or jetty to shelter the fishing craft. From this it appears that the Bay existed between four and five hundred years ago, and that at that time St. Margaret's boasted a fishing fleet that needed a pier or jetty for their protection. The inference seems to be that the sea has not made its destructive assaults on St. Margaret’s Bay during the last few winters for the first time. The Archbishop’s Pier has gone, and for the comfort of the Bay proprietors of the present day it may be inferred that the sea during all these years has been acting on the give and take principle. It has sometimes left an ample area of beach, at other times it has carried it away, but the Bay itself has never been utterly washed out, and probably never will be. Of the more recent history of St. Margaret’s there is very little on record. There is a list of Vicars from the year 1296, when the vicarage was first endowed, prior to which the Church was served by some of the clergy of St. Martin s, Dover. We have not space to give that list here, but it is in the possession of the present Vicar, the Rev. Frederick Case, M.A. The curfew bell is still rung at St. Margaret's. This custom presumably began with the Conquest, but it seems to have fallen into disuse in 1696, when a sheep farmer was mortally injured by falling over the cliff, and, he attributing his misfortune to the discontinuance of the curfew bell, left a bequest of land to the Clerk to ensure the ringing of the bell in the future. The fact is attested in the parish registers by the signatures of the Vicar, William Barney, and the Churchwarden, John Chitty. This John Chitty was at that time the owner of Townsend Farm and the manor attached. It would be possible to trace most of those who have held the land of the parish since it passed out of the possession of the Priory of Dover, but the information would be of little interest. It may be mentioned, however, that one of the manors, East Court, is now mainly the property of Earl Granville, and that Reach and Wanston Manors are now held by Sir William Crundall and Sir J. Jackson for the purpose of the Dover Overcliff Scheme, but there are a great many parts detached and held by private holders, many of whom have been before mentioned.

The Houses and Population.

We have given a rough idea of the population at the time of the Conquest. Taking a long jump from that period, we find that a hundred years ago, 1801, the number was 419; in 1821 there were 87 houses, and 613 inhabitants; in 1831 the people numbered 712; in 1841 the number of people 748, and the houses 119. Jumping 30 years, we find in 1871 the population 820; at the census of 1891 the population 828, and the houses 158; and we understand that the number taken at the last census was 808, and the houses 189. It- may be remarked that during the last ten years there has been an increase of 31 in the inhabited houses, although there appears to have been a decrease of 20 in the population. That decrease is to be accounted for by the fact that several of the regular inhabitants of St. Margaret’s have migrated to Dover, attracted by the Harbour Works, and owing to the cold wind that prevailed there were scarcely any visitors when the census was taken in April, and comparatively few inmates in the Convalescent Home for the same reason. On the other hand, the census of 1891 was taken in Easter week, when there were a good many visitors, and when there were some mechanics staying here in connection with the laying of the submarine telephone service. The increase of 31 inhabited houses, together with the reasons for the variation between the 1891 and the 1901 census returns, indicates that St. Margaret's is making steady progress, which, according to the existing signs, may be expected to be accelerated in the near future.