The Henson Journals

[358]

12th Sunday after Trinity, September 6th, 1908.

A wet & chilly morning. I wrote to Harold. We went to the parish church, & heard a characteristic discourse from Mr Donaldson, the parish minister.

Mr & Mrs Douglas came to lunch: afterwards mine host, Mr Douglas, & I walked over the estate; they discussing divers questions of local arboriculture; & I listening to their talk not without disinterested interest.

Monday, the 7th Sept. was a persistently wet day.

Tuesday, the 8th Sept. Wet from start to finish: yet our hosts motored us to Craigenputtock, the house [359] to which Carlyle brought his wife, after their marriage. It is an unpretending stone–built two–storied farm–house, far away in the moors, most solitary. Miss Carlyle, a niece of the philosopher, lives in the house, which she shows to visitors without charge. The sitting–room was adorned with sundry prints illustrating the history of Frederick the Great, and annotated by the sage. The small apartment adjoining was that in which 'Sartor Resartus' was written.

Wednesday, the 9th Sept. 1908

A wet night led in a wet morning. I spent the time in writing a letter to the 'Times' commenting on two subtly written letters on the 'Episcopate & Home Reunion' signed 'Principal of a Theological College'. I think I detect the hand of Johnston of Cuddesdon.

In the afternoon we had a run in the motor.

There dined Miss Clark, a local proprietor, & the Episcopalian minister from Annan.

Thursday, the 10th Sept. 1908

Another wet day, wet until about 4 p.m. We travelled to Selkirk via Carlisle & Galashiels, arriving in Broadmeadows at tea time. On the way I bought the 'Times', & read the report of the death of Prebendary Montagu Villiers. There are now two important West End churches vacant, both I think in the gift of the Bishop of Lincoln.

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