SENSIBILITY
Sig,—In his review of T. S. Eliot and the Idea of Tradition, Frank Kertnode stated that I did not 'look critically at the "dissociation of sensibility," offering a version which is almost undiluted Hulmc.' This is incorrect. Professor Kermode may dislike Hulme's attitude and also mine but they are different, though related.
Nor is it true that I 'identify the origins of dis- sociation with fife Protestant Revolt'—it was not Protestantism that destroyed the Christian vision of man's destiny, it was secular humanism. The breaking of Christendom accelerated the growth of secularism but did not cause it. This point is made clear in my book.
In my opinion the 'dissociation of sensibility' is not a myth, it is a rather vague label for a change Which really took place in European artistic sensibi- lity. I am perfectly prepared to demonstrate what I mean, using simple examples.—Yours faithfully, The Abbey House, Beckington, Somerset
SEAN LUCY
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