(To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR]
Sta,—Mr. C. E. M. Joad's characteristic, though somewhat facile, analysis of University moods gave many of his readers, I rather suspect, a not unpleasant sensation of " democratic awareness " or of " the young Anglo-Saxon's mission to the world." He attributes, I think rightly, the urgent demand foi authority and guidance to a reaction against the pre-War doctrine of the essential reasonableness of man, and illustrates the symptoms of this reaction by the lowering of artistic and literary taste. So far, I think, there are few who would wish to disagree with him.
Why, however, does he regret that his own generation can provide no antidote to this leaderlessness? The habit of remaining firmly perched on the intellectual fence during undergraduate days, it seems to me, is a most exhilarating experience. In fact, the need felt for external authority, be it of Church or State or ideology, shows at once a certain weakness and uncertainty. Perhaps we are a little jealous of the Conti- nental youth, who is relieved of the responsibility of living his own life.
Mr. Joad makes much of the increased interest in religion among young people, and observes that they need a leader to direct it. The healthiness of this renewed interest is that they are asking the right questions, not that they are expect- ing the right answers. Its unhealthiness, it seems to me, is that religion has become the product of a world-weariness. Like the Victorian world, we frighten our congregations, but not with Hell and Final Judgement—with Crisis and War.
With many others of my generation I feel that intellectual, religious or political " Fuehrers " are helpless in answering the kind of questions that young people are asking.—
Yours faithfully, K. D. EVANS. 13 Delapre Crescent Road, Northampton.
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