The Henson Journals

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Thursday, October 10th, 1912. Hartford.

The study of Modern History is, next to Theology itself, & only next in so far as Theology rests on a Divine Revelation, the most thoroughly religious training that the mind can receive.

Stubbs. Lectures 9.

A beautiful day. After breakfast I wrote letters to Hine–Haycock, Charlie Oman, & Dr Sinclair. Also to Gilbert.

At lunch was a lively lady named Robertson (?) whose husband (so I gathered from her conversation) was an employer of labour in Hartford, & had recently defeated a strike of his men. She spoke much of F. E. Smith who had, if I understood her correctly, been her guest at Newport: & whom she had dressed up for a fancy ball. I indicated politely but clearly the contempt I could not but feel for the costly follies in which American millionaires indulge at a time when the conscience of the community is really troubled with respect to the sufferings of the poor, & the labouring class is deeply discontented. She took what I said in good part. Mrs Burgess declared her admiration of the skill with which the I.W.W. ('Independent Workers of the World' – a pestilent labour Federation) had organized the workers at the strike in Lawrence, Mass.

They had [102] [symbol] collected the strikers in national groups under their several national flags. To every one the situation was explained in his own language, & then the negociations with the employers were carried on in English. She describes the street as resembling a Fair, gay with flags. In that strike the whole mischief seems to have grown out of a misconception caused by ignorance of the language on the part of workers, most of whom were recent arrivals in the country.

We motored during the afternoon, & were delighted with the country which is brilliant in its autumn hues as 'leaf by golden leaf, crumbles the gorgeous year'. Returning we had tea with mine host's brother who lives next door. Mr Goodwin said that he had been present at a wedding conducted by a Congregational minister. Rather to the surprise of the company he produced a prayer book, & read the Marriage service of the Episcopal Church, & greatly to the company's diversion he was so conscientious as to read out all the rubricks as well as the text! The more I learn of the religious procedures of this astonishing country, the more I am disposed to value an Established Church as providing in the community a Norm of right conduct, & creating a public taste for decency & order.

[103]

I dined at the Golf Club House, where a considerable company of clergy & laity had been brought together under the chairmanship of Bishop Brewster to hear an address from me. Before dinner I had to go through the strange American custom of shaking hands with everybody. A company of ladies escorted by mine host came in after dinner, & were provided with chairs. I spake for rather more than 35 minutes, taking as my subject the place & function of the Christian Church in modern society. There were reporters present, & they appeared to be active: but I shudder to think what they will have made of my utterances. Dr Mackenzie, a Congregationalist, spoke after me, mainly dwelling on Church Unity, & distilling platitudes which were more complimentary than relevant.

{Memoires of the Comtesse de Boigne. 1781–1814. Edited from the original MSS. by M. Charles Nicoulland, with Portrait. Charles Scribner's Sons. New York. 1907}

This book seems worth getting as having some rather remarkable illustrations of the society which perished in the French Revolution.

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