HISTORY OF THE UNION JACK AND FLAGS OF THE EMPIRE
Their Origin, Proportions and Meanings as tracing the Constitutional Development of the British Realm, and with References to other National Ensigns
BY BARLOW CUMBERLAND, M.A.
Past President of the National Club, and of the Sons of England, Toronto; President of the Ontario Historical Society, Canada
With Illustrations and Nine Coloured Plates
THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND EXTENDED, WITH INDEX
TORONTO WILLIAM BRIGGS Booksellers' Row, Richmond Street West 1909 Copyright, Canada, 1909, by BARLOW CUMBERLAND.
TO THE FLAG ITSELF THIS STORY OF THE
Union Jack
IS DEDICATED WITH MUCH RESPECT BY ONE OF ITS SONS.
PLATE I.
| 1 English Jack—St. George's Crosse |
| 2 Scotch Jack—St. Andrew's Crosse |
| 3 Irish Jack—St. Patrick's Crosse |
This history of the Union Jack grew out of a paper principallyintended to inform my boys of how the Union Jack of our Empire grewinto its present form, and how the colours and groupings of its partsare connected with our government and history, so that through thisknowledge the flag itself might speak to them in a way it had not donebefore.
A search for further information, extended over many varied fields,gathered together facts that had previously been separated, and groupedthem into consecutive order; thus the story grew, and having developedinto a lecture, was afterwards, at the suggestion of others, launchedupon its public way.
The chapters on the history of the Jacks in the Thirteen AmericanColonies and in the United States are also new ground and may be ofnovel interest to not a few. The added information on the properproportions of our Union Jack, and the directions and reasons for theproper making of its parts, may serve to correct some of the unhappyerrors which now exist and may interest all in the observation andstudy of flags.
An Index has been added, and a record of the "Diamond Anthem" is alsoappended.
I would acknowledge the criticisms and kindly assistance of many,particularly of Mr. James Bain, Public Librarian of Toronto, whoopened out to me the valuable collection in his library; of Mr. J. G.Colmer, C.M.G., Secretary to the Canadian High Commissioner, London,who assisted in obtaining material in England; and of Mr. W. LairdClowes, Sir James Le Moine, Sir J. G. Bourinot and Dr. J. G. Hodgins,Historiographer of Ontario, who have made many valuable and effectivesuggestions.
Toronto, October 1, 1900.
The celebration of EMPIRE DAY and of other National and HistoricAnniversaries, accompanied by appropriate addresses, has greatlydevel