The Henson Journals

[252]

Tuesday, December 31st, 1912.

Jan. 22nd	I buried Aunt Long in Kensal Cemetery
Feb 6th	I was elected to the Athenaeum under Rule II.
Mar. 3.	I baptized Norman Ethelbert Box.
“ 4.	I conducted funeral service for John Troutbeck in S. Margaret's.
“ 5.	Elizabeth Asquith came to be prepared for Confn.
“ 17	Ward arrested for dishonesty.
“ 26	I preached to the Congregationalists in Manchester.
April 14	I preached in Norwich Cathedral.
“ 21	I preached on the "Titanic" shipwreck in S. Margts. {There was a cartoon of me in 'Vanity Fair’}
May 6.	I spoke against Welsh Disestt in Oxford.
“ 12	I preached to the University in Cambridge.
“ 17	I buried Edith Bruce at Largs.
June 14.	I dined with the Prime Minister in Downing St.
“ 30	I preached twice in Rochester Cathedral.
July 10	We dined with the Lord Chancellor & Miss Haldane.
“ 14	I preached in S. Paul's Cathedral.
“ 21	I preached in Shrewsbury School.
Aug. 4	I preached in the Abbey on the Putumayo Horrors.
{Aug. 23	We left England for America.
{Oct. 29	I accepted the Deanery of Durham.
{Nov. 30	We landed in England.
Dec. 8	I preached a Farewell Sermon to the Morning Congn.
“ 29	I preached another to the Evening Congn.

[253]

The year 1912 will assuredly be accounted an annus mirabilis by the historians of the future. The 'awakening’ of China, & the collapse of Turkey in a brief war alone suffice to stamp it with a prodigious & critical character. Then the loss of the "Titanic" made a record in marine disasters: & the extraordinary weather seemed to portend fresh catastrophes. Politics at home have been violent & exasperating beyond precedent.

In my personal record it has been a notable year, but whether for good or ill must depend on my fortunes at Durham. There has been a marked increase in my public importance, partly, I suppose, a result of the departure of Robinson & Beeching, & Duckworth's death. I was left the sole embodiment (for Wilberforce don't count) of Abbey traditions. Partly, I must needs think that the preaching in S. Margaret's has begun to tell on London. As one after the other, the older type of liberal Anglican has vanished from the London Pulpits – Ainger, Page Roberts, & Haddan have died or left London during my residence – men have turned to me at S. Margaret's. The letters in the 'Times’ have arrested attention: & my pronouncements on "Disestablishment" have commanded respect. The Sermon on the Putumayo Horrors appealed directly to the general conscience.

Add the loyal persistence of a small number of [254] devoted friends, & perhaps there needs nothing to explain the fact that after being ignored & denounced for almost the whole of my 12 years in residence in Westminster, my departure is accompanied with quite remarkable demonstrations of respect & regret, both public & private.

On Jany 1st 1913 we – Ella, Carissima, Marion, Lois, & myself – went to Durham, & were hospitably entertained by divers members of the Chapter. Ella & I were the guests of Archdeacon Watkins, the Sub–dean, who also put up Pearce. The next day, Thursday, Jany 2nd, I was publicly instituted by the Bishop, & installed by the Sub–dean in my Cathedral.

The weather was fine: there was a considerable congregation including representatives of the University, of the Troops in Newcastle, & the Corporation of Durham: the ceremonial was simple but stately. I celebrated the Holy Communion, taking the Eastward position. The entire body of the Cathedral Foundation from the Sub–dean to the Vergers, received the sacrament. After the service in the Cathedral, I was inducted into possession of the Deanery: & then brought into the Chapter House, where I shook hands with the leading folks, & briefly acknowledged the cheers, which were proposed by the Sub–dean. A number of photographers plied their art as we returned to the house for lunch. The bells of the Cathedral rang out merrily, & we all felt that an interesting function had been well performed.

[255]

The next morning Ella & I went over to the Deanery, and showed it to the rest of our company. In the afternoon we went to Wynyard in order to dine with the Londonderrys. It was an agreeable party mainly of the local clergy & their wives. The next day we returned to Durham in time for me to attend my first Chapter meeting. I made an innovation by signing the minutes!

Ella and I lunched with the Chapter Clerk in an interesting old house, 12 South Bailey.

In the evening Mrs Watkins held a reception of the towns–folk, who appeared in fair numbers.

The next day I completed the legal preliminaries by reading the lessons at Mattins & Evensong, & reading the declaration of assent to the 39 Articles &c. Cruickshank, as Canon in Residence, preached at Mattins. In the course of his sermon he made some friendly references to the new Dean, quoting the (rather absurd) description of him – to which Jimmie Adderley gave currency in the Westminster Gazette – as 'the most affectionate clergyman in the Church of England'! After Evensong we had a small business meeting to deal with a theological prize of which Knowling has main charge.

On Monday the 6th inst. I celebrated at 8 a.m: & afterwards we returned to Westminster.

[256]

On Jany 8th 1913, I entertained the Choir–boys of St Margaret's to a 'party' for the last time.

The same evening there arrived an invitation from the Lord Steward, conveying His Majesties' command that I should preach at Windsor, & stay the weekend at the Castle.

On Jany 10th, we dined at the Ilberts. Simon was there, & George Russell. We had some interesting talk.

On Thursday (Jany 9th) I attended the meeting of the Select Committee of the H. of C. in order to hear the examination of Mr Gibbins [sic], the Chairman of the Peruvian Amazon Cy. Before the proceedings began, while we waited for the door of the Committee Room to open, I shook hands with a white–headed gentleman, whom I supposed to be Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton. It turned out to be Gibbins!!

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Issues and controversies: irish home rule; female suffrage; Putumayo; welsh disestablishment