19 APRIL 1940, Page 15

I doubt whether he would seek today to defend his

attitude and that of his companions upon such grounds. It is easier, when Western civilisation is bursting into flames and thunder, to retreat into the gentler solitudes of the Wisdom of the East. Mr. Huxley strives, by practising " detachment," by refusing to concern himself with what is terrible or wicked, to find " illumination." I do not imagine for one moment that so fine a soul as his can find detach- ment easy or illumination rapid. There must be moments, even for him, even in Hollywood, of doubt whether the Higher Wisdom can best be defended at a distance of three thousand miles. There must be moments when he must ask himself whether it is not conceivable that he is being guilty of spiritual arrogance.