Anti Fra Muto

I have just read Fra Muto's open letter to Mr. Wells. I hope some kind person will send Mr. Wells a copy—his amusement will be unbounded.

Nevertheless, since this matter in volves the name of my college, perhaps I may also be allowed to express an opinion. In the first place this letter appears to me to be a pitiable exhibition of uncouth undergraduate insolence—an anonymous student of an unknown university at the ends of the earth squealing with frantic impotence, because Mr. Wells has dared to affront his particular ego-identifications. Since he puts such waspish venom into his letter I cannot but assume that Fra Muto is effectively involved with the Roman Catholic church: by his naively patronising style and the portentlousness of his vocabulary, I should assume that he is an undergraduate—a young one.

But enough of Fra Muto. Let us consider his letter objectively. It commences with an emotional appeal to the "ideal or religious toleration and co-operation." When did the Roman Catholic church display "religious toleration and co-operation?" Is it not for the lack of these very qualities that Mr. Wells arraigns it? And. incidentally would not "tolerance" by a better word, even at the cost of that impressive extra syllable?

"At least you have some new ideas" - this is really comic. Oh. the patronage of half-instructed youth! I shall not dilate on the enormity of the change from the second person to the third in the next paragraph, but I should like to point out that Mr. Wells' reputation as a scientist is capable of withstanding a far more dangerous attack than the one under consideration, and that more than one of his scientific textbooks are in use in even first-rate secondary schools. Apart from which, what inspires the thought that the attainment of a position in an English secondary school is a measure of intellectual ability? Can it be that Fra Muto is a teacher?

I have "Crux Ansata" before me, and I find it difficult to see on what ground Fra Muto is attacking it. He makes a number of wild statements, but has not, so far as I can see, attempted to answer one of Mr. Wells' arguments. Furthermore he fails entirely to achieve the scientific detachment and objectivity of that writer, and merely makes himself ridiculous by a display, which while doubtless is very satisfying to his ego, cannot be admitted as reasonable argument.

He has not, for example, attempted to refute the very interesting figures which Mr. Wells quotes in support of his argument on the subject of illiteracy. He offers no defence against the charge that the Roman Catholic church has persistently allied itself with that Fascism which is so much a part of its own internal organisation. He has not shown any reason why any church should be permitted to meddle in politics or to intrigue for power.

Finally, Sir, I would remind Fra Muto that irony, though it seems such a crushing weapon, is definitely not one for the 'prentice hand, particularly when that hand trembles with emotion.

I have read "Crux Ansata" as the opinion of one intelligent and informed man on a controversial question. Freedom of speech demands that he be allowed to publish it. If there is a reasonable reply I shall read that also. In the meantime, I am neither for nor against, but a simple seeker after truth, and one who would have appreciated Fra Muto's letter far more had it contained some spark of intelligent argument.