SIR,-1 have not the close acquaintance with Sweden that Mr.
Fennell has, but I have been there often enough to hope that many Swedish people count me as a friend, for the warmth of hospitality and good fellowship I have received has placed me always in their debt. One small example will suffice of my own experience. One Swedish friend, on a blank Sunday in Stockholm, took me out to his country home for the day, and when I was to return by train, expressed doubt whether I would have time to get a ticket, and handed me his own season, with instructions to post it back. Quite illegal, no doubt, but mbst thoughtful, as it turned out.
I did not recognise Mr. Fennell's Sweden, and would have dismissed the article as part nonsense, part special pleading amounting at times to mis- representation, except that I just cannot understand the sheer spite and hatred that Mr. Fennell displays. Envy? Frustration? Or a deeper political or religious motive?
Everyone has special likes or dislikes among other nationalities. Not everyone may find the Swedes, as I do, good company, amusing and witty when they have got over ,their shyness, and sentimental and soft-hearted. I may even have been lucky in the pro- fessional group with which I have been associate.
But I cannot understand any man being so shut-in as to live in a country, any country, for nearly a year and not find anything to like about it. Not to strike a single spark surely indicates a dead mind. Mr. Fennell is more to be pitied than criticised.
FRANK M. GARDNER Borough Librarian Borough of Luton Public Libraries,
Central Library, George Street, Luton *
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