Thursday, December 13, 2007

On Trying Not to Scream Unduly Loud

Elliot at "Claw of the Conciliator" has a post on Robert Hugh Benson. I like Benson's preface to Lord of the World:

I am perfectly aware that this is a terribly sensational book, and open to innumerable criticisms on that account, as well as on many others. But I did not know how else to express the principles I desired (and which I passionately believe to be true) except by producing their lines to a sensational point. I have tried, however, not to scream unduly loud, and to retain, so far as possible, reverence and consideration for the opinions of other people. Whether I have succeeded in that attempt is quite another matter.

Robert Hugh Benson.

CAMBRIDGE 1907.