SAINT PATRICK By Winifred Letts Nothing is snore difficult than
to write the life of a Saint,
nothing has more charm and persuasiveness when • properly done. In Si. Patrick the Travelling Man (Ivor Nicholson and Watson, 12s. ad.), Miss Winifred Letts has done this difficult thing in a way that is new and wholly delightful. If not 11ec St. Patrick, at least something far nearer reality than we are usually shown lives in these vivid and sympathetic pages.-
. We forget as we read them the widely differing dates and - doubtful credibility of many of the authorities on which
she relies : for we are absorbed by this romantic picture of a, heroic Christian, a picture instinct with humanity and wit„ and with a deep but never ostentatious spirituality ; and. bathed in the landscape and atmosphere of the land to which :Patrick gave his life. Them is in the early Saints of the West an agreeable mixture of ferocity and holiness. Patrick's gospel . of peace had the pressure • of a fiery temper. and. unbending will behind it. The man of prayer on his lonely mount spent weeks in secret converse with God. The great- missionary in his chariot, with a retinue that included clerks,
: craftsmen and " three ladies to do embroidery," attacked
the strongholds of paganism with militant zest; equally_ ready with blessing and curse.- Patrick the travelling-maw covered all Ireland in his journeys ; and left his memory in. every corner of the land, It is needless to say that Miss Letts, does full justice to the charm and beauty of this setting and has.produced a triffide to her national hero which is also - a work of art.
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