In giving reasons why Halloween is a good thing to keep, Edward Bellsmith ("Halloween is.../ Oct.26) offers this:" Surely this(generosity) is a virtue that is pleasing to God. In addition, it can be seen that through the practice of trick or treating, generosity and goodness can overcome mischief and wrong doing. Goodness overcomes evil. Always."

The latter is a pleasant idea but it's true only if we ignore the truth. If goodness always triumphed,

there would have been no Auschwitz, no Twin Towers,no Vimy Ridge, no Stalin, no Idi Amin. Cordelia would have lived, and Sir Thomas More would have kept his head.

There is no Deus ex machina and some things can't be fixed. We can hope, and work, for the best in life but shouldn't be surprised when it doesn't always happen.

Geoff. Rytell

Toronto