18 AUGUST 1950, Page 16

The Mood of the Hour SI R,— Mar g inal Comment of August 4

calls for a brief marginal comment of its own from across the Atlantic—if only to tell Mr. Nicolson that, in spite of all that he may say about- the present mood in Britain, his own writing, a weekly elixir to those afar, carries with it a vitality testifying to the continuing~ vigour of the old country. What. is happening here this summer is recalling to American minds the events 'of 1940-'—Dunkirk and our "finest hour.".. Dunkirk indeed, with its glorious associations, is today on every lip. Americans now know very well that the ~leadership.•which Britain gave the world ten years ago is theirs to give today. They are as eager to have Britain close at their side in what may prove an equally long struggle as we were to have them with us then. But they fully realise that the effort which was made then has diminished our power to put forth a comparable effort now. That matters little in their eyes provided that the essential unity of purpose and action is maintained. All that counts just now is that Britain should do what she can—but not more than she can.—