"It floats over Cypress and Malta, O'er Canada, the Indies, Hong Kong; And Britons, where'er their flag's flying, Claim the rights which to Britons belong. "We hoist it to show our devotion To our Queen, to our country, and laws; It's the outward and visible emblem Of advancement and Liberty's cause. "You may say it's an old bit of bunting, You may call it an old coloured rag; But Freedom has made it majestic, And time has ennobled the flag." --"ST. GEORGE." NOTES ON FLAGS. NAMES OF PARTS. Particular names are given to the several parts of a flag. The part next the flagstaff, or width, Is called the "_hoist_." The outer part, or length, is termed the "_fly_," and also the "_field_." These parts are further divided into "_quarters_," or "_cantons_": two "_next the staff_," two "_in the fly_." These descriptive terms should be noted, as they will be in constant use in the pages which follow. USAGE. A flag at half-mast is a sign of mourning. A flag reversed is a signal of distress. The lowering of a flag is a signal of surrender. The raising of the victors' flag in its place is a signal of capture. The nationality of a country is shown by its flag. The nationality of a vessel is made known by the flag she flies at the stern. To hoist the flag of one nation under that of another nation, on the same flag-staff, is to show it disrespect. History of the Union Jack And Flags of the Empire. CHAPTER I. _EMBLEMS AND FLAGS._ There is an instinct in the human race which delights in the flying of flags--a sentiment which appears to be inborn, causing men to become enthusiastic about a significant emblem raised in the air, whether as the insignia of descent, or as a symbol of race, or of nationality; something which, being held aloft before the sight of other men, declares, at a glance, the side to which the bearer belongs, and serves as a rallying point for those who think with him. The child chortles at a piece of riband waved before him; a boy marches with head erect and martial stride as bearer of the banner at the head of his mimic battalion; the man, at duty's call, rallies to his national standard, and leaving home and all, stakes his life for it in his country's cause; and when the battle of life is closing and steps are homeward bound, the gray-beard, lifting his heart-filled eyes, blesses the day that brings him back within sight of his native flag. At all ages and in all times has it been the same. The deeper we go into the records of the past the more evidence do we find that man, however varied his race or primitive his condition, however cultured his surroundings or rude his methods, has universally displayed this innate characteristic instinct of delighting and glorifying in some personal or national emblem.