IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 20, 24 January 1936, Page 6

IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

THE GREAT DEPARTED

an understanding person,

(To the Editor.)

Even Nature wept on the day of "mournin"-"; our hearts go out in deepest sympathy t.o°our beloved Queen, loving wife and mother, now feeling the pangs of sorrow which none can bear for her, but the knowledge of duty well and faithfully done in which she has so ably shared should help to comfci t hei in her deep sorrow. He who now steps into his father's high position is well able to carry • out the duties involved. His sympathy and interest with all are well known; lie has endeared himself not only to his subjects but to those of other lands also. I opened a book recently which had a few sentences which I think might well be applied to our late departed beloved King, and he who now rules over us. The book is Vol. 111., "Childhood, Boyhood and Youth," written by Leo Tolstoy. He" begins by a short address to his readers, and is" evidently a plea for "understanding"; "I will accept you among the number of my elect. * Above all, you should be an 'understanding' person, one who, when I get to know him, need not have my feelings and inclinations explained and who, I see, understands me and in whom every note df my soul finds a response. It "is difficult, and, I think, even impossible, to divide people into the intelligent and the stupid, or the good and the had, but between the 'understanding' and the 'nonunderstanding' there is for me such a sharp line that I cannot help drawing it between all I know. The chief distinctive mark of 'understanding' people is the pleasure in intercourse with them. One need not explain or expound anything to them, but may with full confidence pass on to them ideas very vaguely expressed." I believe our beloved departed King possessed (and our present King possesses) the "understanding" that Leo Tolstoy so well expresses. Lowly though my station in life, I feel I could have talked with our late King without fear of being thought over-confident. I could not do that with all. May our King Emperor Edward VIII. live in the hearts of his people also. L. CARRADINE.