Letters, Oct. 31, 1955

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. . . It seems that Camus rejects the possibility of God, and the ultimate significance of life, on the ground that man's reason can discover no valid proof of either. What does he expect, an angel with a flaming sword? . . . Camus, and the coterie of which he is a dominant figure, are guilty of childishness. To assume that life has no meaning because it is not immediately and inescapably apparent is ridiculous. To erect a concept of life on a basis of futility is hopeless; man cannot predicate purposive action and deny the existence of purpose . . . Camus is caught in a monstrous contradiction. Ultimate concepts are contingent on faith. This is true not only of religion and philosophy but of science.

V. A. HOLCOMBE
Corona, Calif.

Turk v. Greek

Sir:

The outbreak of fanatical hatred against the Greek citizens of Turkey [NEWS IN PICTURES, Oct. 10] shocks me. What has shocked me even more is the way that both London and Washington have tried officially to overlook the gruesome episode for the sake of preserving unity in NATO.

J. S. JANOS
Cleveland

Sir:

I am proud of being a Turk and I approved of the Turkish mob's demonstration against the Greek Orthodox Church. That so-called religion has been misusing its privileges . . . It is not really a church of God; it is simply a political party belonging to the Greek government . . .

SUAT ECER
Detroit

Sir:

Congratulations to TIME for exposing the atrocities of the Turkish mob against the minorities of Istanbul . . . Maybe your pictures will make a few Turks feel ashamed .. .

D. J. KOSTAS
Corona, N.Y.

Other Times, Other Mannerists

Sir:

You labeled the Mannerist-style painting of Gabrielle d'Estrées [Oct. 3] "Lady After Her Bath." Surely a more appropriate title would have been: "I dreamed I was in a jewelry store without my Maidenform bra."

JOHN S. BROOKES
Chicago

¶For a comparison of Painter Brunel's beauty and the Madison Avenue manner, see cuts.—ED.

Westward the Course

SIR:

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SPLENDID LEWIS & CLARK COLOR FEATURE [OCT. 10] BY PHOTOGRAPHER BRADLEY SMITH. IMPOSSIBLE TO OVEREMPHASIZE THE EXPEDITION'S IMPORTANCE. ITS SUCCESS CHANGED THE COURSE OF NATIONAL AND WORLD HISTORY.

CHAPIN D. FOSTER
DIRECTOR
WASHINGTON STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TACOMA

Sir:

. . . I was so thrilled by the beauty of the scenes of Montana that I almost took the first train back to that best-of-all states—we're railroad people, and have tried quite a few . . . When my husband saw the picture of the Bitterroots, he spoke with such feeling and nostalgia: "That's just the way it looks—I've gazed on that scene a thousand times," etc. . . . Thank you, and our sincere congratulations to Mr. Smith on his excellent photography.

HELEN E. HAYES
Savanna, Ill.

Sir: