In your obituary to one of the last explorers (”Wilfred Thesiger,” August 30, 2003), you seem to doubt his wisdom. “But,” you wrap up, “a relic of the past and fugitive from the present, he was convinced the world was going to the dogs.” Bearded, in Bedouin garb, rifle in hand, he is convincing enough in the black-and-white portrait you published, though. At least he knew what had been lost, and that knowledge should give us pause. Too many witnesses from the past have believed that the world has been going to the dogs for their wisdom to be dismissed out of hand.