The Henson Journals

[88]

5th Sunday after Trinity, July 15th, 1906.

I attended early at the Church in order to open the Reredos. There were 48 communicants at 8 a.m. At Mattins the Bishop of Hereford preached: the offertory was but little over £20.

In the afternoon the addition to the Chancel was consecrated by the Bishop of London, who also preached the Sermon. The Speaker occupied his pew. The Mayor & Corporation came in their robes. Col. Trollope & 9 officers of the Queen's Westminsters attended in uniform. The Dean, Wilberforce, & Welldon represented the Abbey. Gow & Failes the School. Mr Miller, Mr Aglionby, a curate from S. Matthew's and Father Congreve, the Westminster Clergy. There were also present Dr Fleming, of the Scottish Established Church, Mr Suter of the Episcopal Church in America, & Pearce from Christ Church, Newgate Street. The Bishop was accompanied by Archdeacon Bevan and his chaplain. A mob of parsons & ladies came in to tea after the service: & the organist & choirmen were also entertained at the house: the Churchwardens provided for the boys in the Mission Room.

[89]

At Evensong, Bishop Welldon was the preacher. He screamed and ranted marvellously, and I doubt not imagined himself almost an inspired prophet. Raleigh was in church, and shared my wonderment. There came to supper the following:

• Raleigh
• Miss Montague
• Walters
• his brother
• Sherwood
• his sister
• Mrs Miller
• Browne
• Ramsay
• Albert
• Harold.

The offertories for the day were disappointingly small. Even including a promised donation of £25 from Mrs Hunt, the total only reached £100: and, perhaps, as much had been sent in during the preceding week. So we are still after shooting our last bolt, short at least £200 of what we want.

[90]

On Tuesday the 17th July, 1906, I married Miss Rosalind Craig Sellar to Mr Alexander Maitland: and, the same evening, my wife & I dined with Miss Alice Radcliffe in Berkeley Sq.

On Thursday, the 19 th July, the Times contained the news that Lady Curzon was dead.

In the evening I attended the Choir dinner in the Jerusalem Chamber.

On Friday, the 20th July, I went to Carlton House Terrace in response to a message from poor Curzon; and arranged with him for a service in St. Margaret's in connexion with the Funeral on Monday.

In the afternoon all the Canons met in my study, and considered the Dean's latest communication . We drafted a resolution for Duckworth as Senior canon to move in chapter.

On Saturday Mr Austen Chamberlain was married to Miss Ivy Muriel Dundas. The knot was tied by Archdeacon Dundas, her uncle: and the 2nd part of the service taken by another uncle, Mr Ryder. I read the initial exhortation and gave a final benediction.

---