THE UNION JACK.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2360, 3 May 1901, Page 6

THE UNION JACK.

In the oMen times the national ilag of EugI land was white, with a plain red cross upon it The cross was that of St. Ueorge, our patron saint. No alteration *as marie in the dewgn of the banner of St. George until 1707, when England aid Scotlaud were united by Act of Parliament, and the cress of St. AndrewSt. ADdrew being the p.tron saint of Scotland —was tten gratted ou to that of St. George The ground colour of St. Andrew's banner was blue, with a white " St. Andrew's creai " on it. Ih» two hugs combined became the national Hag of Great Biitain by R.yal proclamation in 1707, and remained so until the Ist of .January, 1801, when, unum the union with lrelaud, the banaer of St. Patrick was worked into the design.

It has been suggested tkat the Union Jack as it now stands is ton complicated in its design, and that tie blending of the banners »f SI. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick was done in a manner totally eppe*ed to the usage of arms and the fcieace of Heraldry. The origin of the tetin " Unien Jack " oan hardly bo explained. The word " uoieu " evidently had something to do with Ike union ef England and Scctlaid, but no one seems to know wheie the word " Jack" came from. Some say it is a corruption of " Jacobus," and refers to James 1., but this explanation is hardly supported by fact, inasmuch as the union of England and Scotland took place iu the reign of Queon Anne. Another, and n more likely derivation of the word " Jack " is this : In the olden times it was the custom for English soldiers to wear the cross of St. Giorge on the hack and front of their upper garment. Now, the upper part of a horseman's dress was called a " Jack." Itis quite probable, therefore, tkat the term " Jack " came to be applied tn the cross in question when embroidered oi a