The Henson Journals

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Monday, August 3rd, 1914. Barochan.

A melancholy wet day, matching the dolourous excitements of the time. The morning papers added nothing to our information, but in the afternoon came news that the Germans had violated Belgian territory in defiance of treaties, & in the teeth of a formal refusal of permission. Bloodshed has already taken place on the French border: but the German ambassador still lingers in Paris. It appears to be the case that Italy will stand out of the quarrel, holding the war to be 'essentially offensive'. This is the only item of news which can be regarded as satisfactory.

Lord Rowallan, erstwhile Mr Cameron Corbett, & his daughter, came to dinner. He has made some considerable benefactions to Glasgow, & is noted for his vehement advocacy of total abstinence. I remember him best as the 'developer' of Ilford, where his schemes brought him amazingly large gains.

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