The Henson Journals

[309]

13th, Sunday after Trinity, September 10th, 1911. Stockholm.

O for the mighty wakening that aroused

The old–time Prophets to their missions high;

And to blind Homer's inward sunlike eye

Show'd the heart's universe where he caroused

Radiantly: the Fishers poor unhoused,

And sent them forth to preach divinity:

And made our Milton his great dark defy,

To the light of one immortal theme espoused!

But half asleep are those now most awake;

And save calm–thoughted Wordsworth, we have none

Who for eternity put time at stake.

And hold a constant course as doth the sun:

We yield but drops that no deep thirstings slake;

And feebly cease ere we have well begun.

676. Thomas Wade. 1805–1875.

The weather has improved. We start the day with sunshine. Mr Owen & his friend took their leave of us, & went their way by the morning train. We betook ourselves to the English Church. There was a numerous congregation mostly of women, perhaps members of the Women's Conference which has been in session here under Lady Aberdeen. The service was spoiled by the clergyman. His voice was curiously harsh & unpleasant; & he made the worst of it. His sermon was a painful exhibition of conceited histrionics.

[310]

After lunch we made an expedition to Drottningholm, an island in Lake Mälar, wheron is a palace and a curious lodge, the China Slott, furnished with all manner of Chinese articles. The gardens, laid out in the old French style, are charming. We (i.e. Ella & I, Sir Godfrey & Lady Thomas, & their son) had a very comfortable tea, & then returned by the steamer to Stockholm, enjoying on the way an exquisite sunset.

The 'Times' of Friday announces that Ridgway, the suffragan–bishop of Kensington, is to be Bishop of Salisbury. It is a very astonishing appointment. The Brothers Ridgway are hardly the kind of men to make Episcopacy considerable. The new Bishop is described as 'a strong High Churchman'; he will certainly bring to the Bench neither learning, nor distinction: &, of course, he will support in all essential matters the reigning Triumvirate of Sacerdotalists ( Talbot, Gore, Lang). The Prime Minister has now to appoint to the Deanery of Norwich, & the rich benefice of St Botolph's Bishopgate. The latter perhaps carries with it the Suffragan–bishopric. Thus a way is opened for an arrangement between the Prime Minister & the Bishop of London, for the first has the nomination to the benefice which finances the Suffragan–Bishoprick, & the last has to nominate the Suffragan Bishop. It would be curious if Ingram found himself landed with a liberal Suffragan. Probably there is an opening here for Masterman, or Peile.