The Henson Journals

[151]

Saturday, February 20th, 1915.

201st day

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The "Nation" contains an insultingly–expressed letter in answer to mine of last week from Stewart Headlam. I wrote a brief reply, ignoring the insult, but re–affirming the essential point. Then Bishop Quirk & Bayley came to see me about the men's wages. I am opposed to raising them temporarily during the war, because the men ought to bear their share of the general burden: but I think some of the payments are too small. After the Chapter, Ella & I motored to Shotley Bridge, where we lunched pleasantly with the High Sheriff, Mr Priestman, a large & amiable country gentleman. We returned to the Deanery in time for the motor to go to the station, & fetch thence Archdeacon Westcott, who is to preach in the Cathedral tomorrow. He is wonderfully fresh & interesting in spite of his deafness. He tells me that he, and two younger brothers were all ordained together by Bishop Lightfoot (who was his godfather) in Durham Cathedral in 1884. It is delightful to note the veneration with which he evidently regards his father & Bishop Lightfoot. Later, Caröe arrived, & was full of war, & rumours of wars. He says that Denmark received an ultimatum from Germany at the beginning of the war requiring that she should mine the Belts: & that, under threat of immediate invasion, she yielded, & informed Great Britain of the fact.

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