ABSENT-MINDEDNESS.
[To THE EDITOR OP TER "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—Your article on "Absent-Mindedness," in the Spectator of August 10th, with its incident of the Welshmen's recep- tion of Sir William Harcourt by singing " Lead, kindly Light," reminds me of the equally unintentional blasphemy of some admirers of a late vicar in the parish where I am now living. On his tombstone, erected at their expense, are the following words:—
"I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter."
Recently I saw another inscription :- " So He giveth His beloved sleep."
The desire to quote, especially from Holy Scripture or a well- known hymn, quite apart from the context, if only sacred words will but lend themselves to their feelings, seems to be the supreme object, however absurd, or even blasphemous, itr appears to the ordinary reader or hearer. Indeed, it seems to be a part of the ignorant and superstitions bibliolatry of the day. But no irreverence is intended. Quite the contrary. Not very many years ago a famous preacher in the North, on the occasion of a visit from Prince Albert, selected these words for his text :—" Every eye shall now behold Him." No doubt he thought it was improving the occasion 1 But it was in exquisitely bad taste, to say the least of am, Sir, &c., M. A-
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