The Henson Journals

[306]

Saturday, September 9th, 1911. Stockholm.

Last night I wrote letters to the following:–

1. Aunt Long, for her Birthday.
2. The Dean of Worcester, declining to preach in the Cathedral
3. Miss Grace Abbott, about her wedding in S. Margaret's
4. Balfour Wilson
5. Gilbert

The more I reflect on the situation created by the recent episcopal appointments, & by the revelation of official policy which they make, the more I am filled with consternation. How is the critical issue raised by Thompson's book to be dealt with by such as man as Russell–Wakefield? We know already how Gore is prepared to deal with it. The new Bishops, i.e. those who have been appointed since the débacle of 1906, are all either Sacerdotalists, or "Socialists", or (the normal type) a blending of both. Mostly they are men of no real character or influence in the church. It is obvious that in a discussion on Thompson's book no effective part could be taken on the right side by any of them, for the simple & sufficient reason that they neither know enough, nor care enough about the subject to be able to discuss it usefully or creditably. They must perforce sit silent, & listen to the sophistries of the "experts", Gore & Talbot. They either absent themselves from the debate, or take the prudent course of voting with the majority.

[307]

When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,

I all alone beweep my outcast state,

And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,

And look upon myself, and curse my fate,

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featured like him, like him with friends possest,

Desiring this man's art & that man's scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least;

Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising –

Haply I think on THEE: and then my state,

Like to the Lark at break of day arising

From sullen earth, sings hymns at Heaven's gate;

For THY sweet love rememb'red such wealth brings

That then I scorn to change my state with Kings.

Shakespeare. 146.

When I went to get shaved, I fell in with some troops apparently returning from a march. The men were very young, & did not carry themselves well. Moreover they were by no means remarkable physically. They had the aspect of one of our weaker Territorial regiments.

This morning the weather is hostile, a circumstance the more regrettable since we have arranged to go by steamer to Velamsund & there to lunch with the Kilmarnocks, and see something more of Spring–Rice. It may possibly clear, but the steamer leaves at 11 a.m., & now (9.30 a.m.) the outlook is evil.

[308]

The rain continuing with no prospect of improvement we cancelled our plan of lunching with the Kilmarnocks. I wrote a letter to Miss Violet Markham: & then we went into a shop near the Hôtel, & bought some trifles for presents. Then we walked through the rain to the National Museum and spent the rest of the morning in the Historical Museum. I began by leaning on the glass case to the exhibits, & breaking it with a horrid crash. A sum of 2 kr: was exacted by the attendant, or rather 1 kr. 75 ör.: but I munificently gave him the balance. I have never seen such a magnificent collection of relics of the stone, bronze, & iron ages. The Viking gold is splendid. There is also a very interesting collection of medieval objects; also some of historic & artistic interest belonging to a more recent period. Thus there is shown the general's baton used by Gustavus Adolphus at Lützen; and a three–bladed dagger with which a monk once attempted to assassinate him. After lunch, Lord Kilmarnock called, & stayed some while. Then, through a deluge of rain, we went out to the Grand Hôtel Restaurant, & had tea. After returning to the Hôtel Rydberg I wrote to Mary Scott: sent a card to Helen Beeching: wrote also to Raleigh.

Mr Owen and his friend returned from Wisby [sic] full of enthusiasm for its walls, towers, & churches. They had suffered no hardships from the Baltic going & coming: but their visit to Upsala [sic] was spoiled by rain.

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