THE MODERN POINT OF VIEW [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR]
Sin,—As one who is passionately concerned for the preserva- tion of rural beauty, I agree with Mr. Geoffrey Sainsbury and your previous correspondent, that the attempted beautifying of petrol pumps and the like is absurd. Ugly truth is better than pretty camouflage. Plain, simple utility has its own beauty. Windmills, which now charm our eyes with their " quaintness," were originally designed for use. Railways are utilitarian enough ; yet, in spite of Wordsworth and Ruskin, a railway line often adds (for me, at any rate) to the attractive- ness of a stretch of country. Where I most emphatically disagree with your correspondents is in their belief that." the spirit of the age " must be accepted, and that we must not frown upon " the things we really need."
For myself, I will not unquestioningly accept " the spirit of the age " ; nor do I think we " really need " many of the modern features that are spoiling our countryside. The motor- ear has obviinisly come to stay : it lias its legitimate uses and its legitimate pleaiures. But the countryside is being dese- crated in large measure to gratify an unnatural and spiritually harinfiul craze tor mere speed. Half our .motor-cars minister neither to. real. utility nor to true happiness ; they are new toys in the hands of grown-up children, irresponsibly inflated With a sense of their own power and self-importance. If this mood continues, the spoiling of the countryside is inevitable.. For myself, I believe that the mood will pass. We shill grow tired of our new toys as toys, and there will come a big reaction. Meanwhile, my quarrel with petrol-pumps is not that they are inherently ugly, but that the vast number of them reflect the Spiritual malady of our time. If that malady is cured, the countryside will be safe. If it cannot be cured—Well, it is certainly feeble and futile fOr us" to cover petrol-pumps with thatch ! If we cannot exorcise the disease, it is no use decor- ating the symptoms !—I am, Sir, &e., GILBERT THOMAS.
Previous page
