4 NOVEMBER 1922, Page 15

A DARING PILOT IN EXTREMITY.

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

SIR,—I do not see that anyone has quoted Dryden's well- known description of Achitophel, which in many points appears appropriate to-day :-

"Sagacious, bold and turbulent of wit,

Restless, unfixed in principles and place ;

In power unpleased, impatient of disgrace ;

A fiery soul which working out its way Fretted the pigmy body to decay And o'er informed the tenement of clay A daring pilot in extremity ; Pleased with the danger when the waves went high He sought the storms ; but for a calm unfit Would steer too nigh the sands to boast his wit : Great wits are sure to madness near allied, And thin partitions do their bounds divide."