BOOKS AS COMFORTERS OF THE SOUL.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
San,—The writer of the article in the Spectator of Septem- ber 26,h on "Books as Comforters of the Soul" made, in my opinion, a too sweeping generalisation when he said it was far
b ye the function of literature to supply the want described by Mrs. Faller Maitland. He overlooked Thomas it Kempis, whose matchless work has done so much towards effecting a recovery for those who "suffer from the true malady of the soul, or whose wounds got in the battle of life are still green and smarting." The soul-comforting quality is not possible to be possessed to a uniform degree by those who need its influences, this by reason of the radical differences in tempera- ment and predilection. Yet despite this, there are periods when the "malady of the soul" can be appreciably assuaged by effects which proceeds from other than "the spirit of religion." Thomas a Kempis possesses this attribute to a much &cater degree than, may I be pardoned for saying it, Burton in his "Anatomy of Melancholy." Further, and recognising how important a part " temperament " plays in such a matter, is it not the case that the last dreary hours of General Gordon at Khartoum were alternately cheered by his pocket Bible and Newman's " Dream of Gerontius,"—a much- fingered and underlined copy of the last-mentioned being in existence, and which was found after his death ? In his correspondence, I think, Gordon speaks of the value, to him of this work, and I am inclined to the belief that it was the means of accomplishing for its possessor—during the dreary uncertain hours of the siege—that which your writer asserts is beyond the province of literature. If ever there was "malady of the soul" it must have been possessed by Gordon, as he strained his weary eyes looking for the help that came when all was past, and when he had gone to his last account. And the "Dream of Gerontius " was then his next best con- solatory treasure.—I am, Sir, &a.,
[It is not the book in these cases which comforts, but the religious consolation.—En. Spectator.]
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