Stendhal's general
From Mr David Nicholls Sir: Does it not behove the relativism of our age that Leo McKinstry On defence of treason', 12 August) should see fit to ask `Where is the shame, in saying, "Yes, I used to believe all that, but now I think it's a lot of nonsense"?'
Once, it was customary for great men of state to say what they believed and to stick by it, even on pain of death, thus proving an example to us all. Perhaps your correspon- dent could learn from Stendhal's 'charming General Pietranera' who enthralled Milan society with his resolution:
' What an insult to myself!' he was known to declare. 'Why should I imagine that I have more sense today than when I made this deci- sion?'
What he had once willed, he willed for ever, and he never reconsidered what he had once decided.
David Nicholls
Ruislip, Middlesex
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