John Surtees

I glimpsed a note in The Times
this evening, after dinner, on
the demise of Mr John Surtees.

I wish the natural reluctance,
to convey any such news, could
survive an indiscipline of af-
fection in boys, for exemplars
of adroit tempering of risk by
inordinate physical capacities
and skill. If, for all time, a
sweet note of memorable brevi-
ty hovers in the rapturous re-
flex they reserve for fulfill-
ment of their truest rival and
inspiration, then I do not ex-
aggerate to observe among that
generation of ours, resolution
to be the next of its apostles.

We'll be delighted to go fast-
er, but never so vain as to go
better.