TEMPTATION.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Srn,—Your commentary on " Ann Veronica " in last week's Spectator reminds me of a passage in that wise and beautiful book, " The Lover's Lexicon," by F. Greenwood. There, under the heading of " Temptation," he shows how the very word has changed its meaning in these days:—
"Instead of being nothing else than a warning of danger and a call to resistance, it is nearly as much a plea for wrongdoing and an excuse for surrender. 'Lead me not where I shall be tried, for my strength may fail,' was the old prayer. But now its meaning runs: 'Lead me into temptation, for then I shall be pitied and excused.' Temptation ? Temptation is trial; trial of strength, honour, trustworthiness. What of the sword which, breaking to pieces in the smith's hands, cries out, "Ah, me I my melancholy fate 1 That I should have been so unfortunately tried."
Would that words such as these and yours could be shouted
from the housetops !—I am, Sir, &c., C. M. H.
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