Whatever flags may be used for other purposes and on other occasions, it is manifest that to be raised over schools this widely-spread national Union Jack is the most fitting; telling the children, as it does, the duties and relations they bear to the other members of their Empire, and leading them to study, not only the history of the continent in which they live, but to go far back into the centuries and learn the growth of the glorious liberties which this flag has brought them, and the unity which its colours proclaim.
The patriotic celebration of "Empire Bay," which first was originated in the schools in Canada,[178] has extended through the schools of the Empire. On this day, as well as on other notable days, appropriate addresses are given, this Union Jack, the national flag, is reverently raised and saluted, and the National Anthem and patriotic songs sung by the scholars. It has been recorded that in the Public Schools in Canada, Australasia, New Zealand and Great Britain over 8,000,000 children united in this celebration in 1908, and it is still fast extending.
It is an inspiration for ourselves to have it thus brought to mind that our Union flag floats on every sea, and that on one-fifth of the earth's surface it is hailed as their union emblem by four hundred millions of fellow-patriots, in every clime, of many languages, and all religious faiths, each dearly loving their own native land and devoted to its welfare, but united in loyal brotherhood with their fellow, yet far-distant, Britons under One King, One Flag, One Empire.
[CHAPTER XXVI.]
THE JACKS IN RED, WHITE AND BLUE ENSIGNS.
In its single form the Union Jack has these special duties, which have been noted, but combined in the upper corner of a larger flag it creates a general flag of the nation, and thus environed becomes a Union Ensign.
Although usage has sometimes used the name, yet it is a misnomer to call a flag of this larger combined form a Union Jack, this being the proper name solely for the flag containing only the three island crosses.
The distinction in the names arises from the early days when a smaller flag—bearing a national emblem or the crest or coat-of-arms of a liege lord—had been inserted in a larger flag. This larger flag, bearing the emblem or insignia of its wearers, was termed an "Ensign."