And while on Charters - we may be suffering from the US and UK being "two nations divided by a common language" syndrome. Charter means to my OED "a grant of rights by the sovereign or other body". Another on-line definition follows. Philip ---------------------- Charter noun a franchise or written grant of specified rights made by a government or ruler to a person, corporation, etc. a document setting forth the aims and principles of a united group, as of nations the constitution of a city, setting forth its governmental organization and powers OR a document by which a society authorizes the organization of a local chapter or lodge a special privilege or exemption an instrument, esp. a deed Etymology: ME chartre < OFr < L chartula, dim. of charta: see card <http://www.yourdictionary.com/card>