24 JULY 1909, Page 13

PRESENTIMENTS.

[To THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—Your interesting article of last week on "Presenti- ments" reminds me of Newman's lines on "Warnings." It would seem that he also concurred in Wordsworth's belief, and shared the faith of the timberman at Newport:—

"When Heaven sends sorrow Warnings go first, Lest it should burst With stunning might On souls too bright

To fear the morrow. Can science bear us To the hid springs Of human things ?

Why may not dream,

Or thoughts' day-gleam, Startle, yet cheer us ?

Are such thoughts fetters, While faith disowns Dread of earth's tones, Reeks but Heaven's call, And on the wall Reads but Heaven's letters ? "

S. Paul's Lodge, Beckenham.