[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The article by "
Under Thirty—VI " is moving and impressive. The writer is so obviously afraid of life and un- sure of herself. Perhaps she can win a surer footing and a more tranquil outlook by dwelling rather on life's certainties than its disappointments. She is a citizen of a . beautiful world ; only the evil trinity of greed, selfishness and the lust for power have enthroned the tragedies that overwhelm her. From them have sprung war, pestilence and famine—all the fruit of human wrongdoing. In her own life she can do little to combat them, save through her own fortitude and example, and that in a very narrow circle. She must learn that her own immediate task is the creation of a true per- sonality, and that thi3 will almost certainly be the outcome of temporary discipline and suffering. Through that experi- ence, however, she will gradually discover the harmony of an inward peace, and find the inspiration of selfless service. She will also know that life is good and not evil, because she has changed its centre for herself, and sympathy and kindness will dominate her . outlook rather than distrust and . fear. Meanwhile she . will also .probably discover that material well-being is relatively unimportant, and that there . is more real happiness to be found in " the . slums ". than Park Lane. That will not prevent her working for the overthrow of the evils that she. sees around her ; it will only inspire her to the recognition that her life need not be futile. but fruitful, and
that in her labours she is a co-worker with Destiny, which stresses the goal more than the road by which humanity is reaching it. These things are certain.
With that outlook she may gradually realise that humanity is fighting its way forward through blood and tears to a richer heritage, and that the things that frighten her are but the birth-pangs of a finer civilisation.—Yours faithfully,
ANGUS WATSON.
Sunlight Chambers, 2-4 Bigg Market, Newcastle-on-Tyne, r
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