The Henson Journals

[280]

1st Sunday in Lent, February 9th, 1913.

My last Sunday in Westminster was spent in a house half–dismantled by preparations for the contractor's men tomorrow. How impossible it seems to realize that I shall cease to have any rights in this house!

My wife & I went to the Abbey Church for Mattins, and stayed to receive the Holy Communion. Lord Portsmouth & his Countess shared the sub–Dean's pew with us: and behind us, in the Dean's pew, sate Alfred Lyttelton & his wife.

Gilbert came in for lunch, & that excellent fellow Bailward. My godson went with me to Evensong, where Pearce preached a very wandering discourse: after which I called on Mrs Ryle, & presented her with my photograph. Also, I presented my photograph to Gow, & obtained his leave to present copies of "Puritanism in England" to his VIth Form.

Then I wrote to Raleigh, & Watkins.

There came to supper Bridget Hole, Linetta, Mary, Harold & Elsie, & Gilbert.

[281] [symbol]

A very important letter from Lord Stamfordham marked 'Private & Confidential' reached me this morning (Monday) & I immediately drafted a Memorandum, & sent it with this covering letter.

Dear Lord Stamfordham,

Your letter went from the Athenaeum to Durham, & thence to Westminster. It reaches me this morning amid the confusions of departure, the workmen having just arrived to pack up furniture &c. But I have at once prepared the enclosed, which, unless my memory deceive me, represents very much what I urged on you at Windsor. Of course it needs not that I shd remind you that I am neither a professed politician, nor a constitutional lawyer, only an ordinary citizen who follows the course of affairs, & is very deeply concerned at the situation into which we have been brought. I understand & appreciate the strictly confidential character of your letter: &, of course, I send you the enclosed in strict confidence.

Let me add how much pleasure it gave me to meet you at Windsor, & how greatly I enjoyed my little visit to the Castle. Their Majesties were so kind, & everybody delightful.

Believe me, &c.

[282]

We lunched with Miss Mundella, who had gathered a pleasant company to meet us. I sate between mine hostess & Miss Haldane, with whom I had much interesting conversation. She expressed great approval of the part I played in the Putumayo business. After lunch she kindly motored us back to Westminster, stopping at Buckingham Palace on the way in order to write her name in the book. I took the opportunity to write my name also.

Then, on reaching our house, I took Logic round S. James's Park for the last time. Canon Carnegie with his daughter & Sir Francis Crawley–Boevey his brother in law were at No 17 taking measurements for carpets & wall–papers.

I drove to the Athenaeum, & left directions as to forwarding my letters. Then I went to Holborn, & took the train for Birchington.

So I turned my back finally on the house which for more than 12 years has been mine. Ella went to stay with Mrs Gow.

[283] [symbol]

Copy of Lord Stamfordham's letter dated Feb. 11th 1913, and marked 'Private & Confidential'.

Dear Mr Dean,

Thank you truly for the Memorandum which accurately records what you said at Windsor, and is valuable as coming from one who is in touch with all sorts of opinion – indeed to me, more valuable than the views of the "professed politician" & "constitutional lawyer".

All you say regarding your visit to Windsor is, I can assure you, reciprocated by Their Majesties & by those of their Household who had the pleasure of meeting you.

Believe me, yours v. truly.

[284]

On Friday morning (Feb. 14th 1913) I returned from Birchington to Westminster, joined Ella at No 19, & lunched with Gow. Then I went to the Athenaeum, & later travelled to Durham with my wife. The next day (Saturday, Feb. 15th) I presided at a Chapter Meeting from 11 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. All were present except Tucker, who is in Sicily.

The next day, the 2nd Sunday in Lent (Feb. 16th) I attended Mattins in the Cathedral, & afterwards celebrated. There was but a handfull of communicants, & everybody had left save one minor canon. This seems an unedifying state of affairs. But the service is inordinately long.

At 2.20 p.m. Dr Raw from Sunderland arrived in an open motor–car to fetch me for divers functions in that town. The day was bright &, for the time of year, warm: so the drive was agreeable. We stopped at the entrance to the town in order to see the Children's Hospital. Then we went on to the Victoria Hall, where I addressed a large meeting in aid of the local Hospital. While I was speaking, my head began to ache badly, & I could hardly continue my speech. However, I got through somehow: & then went to to [sic] the Bishop Wearmouth Rectory, where a party of citizens came in to be introduced. I went to the Church and preached to a very large congregation. Then I dined with the Mayor – an amiable old Quaker. I returned to Durham by train, feeling quite miserable!

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Issues and controversies: Putumayo