The Henson Journals

[199]

Tuesday, April 27th, 1915.

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I travelled to town with Kathleen by the early express, arriving at King's Cross more than half an hour after time. Then I drove to the British Museum, & deposited Kathleen with her relatives, & went on to Dean's Yard. Leaving my baggage with Mrs Rush, I went to the Barber & had my hair cut. The artist commented on its length and thickness!! From the Barber I walked to Rectory Chambers in Lambeth Hill, where Gerald Marshall has his dwelling. He went with me to Froarde's warehouse where we ordered a lectern copy of the Revised Version, which (at his request) I have presented to St Nicholas Cole Abbey. Then I went to the Athenaeum, & there dined. Lord Halifax was in the club. He expressed his agreement with me in that matter of Drink, & told me that the Royal servants at Windsor had dressed the cellar door in crape! I noticed that almost everybody dining at the Athenaeum was drinking wine. Clearly the King's example was not being taken very seriously. On Wednesday the 28th, I met Pemberton at the Office of the Ecclesl Commissioners, & together we had an interview with Sir Lewis Dibdin & Mr Downing, about the Bearpark litigation. I suggested the purchase of the land by the Commissioners, & the idea was received with courtesy & even with goodwill. We came away with the impression that a solution might be found in that direction. Convocation was sitting. Divers members came into lunch with Pearce, including the Dean of Wells & his wife, Beeching, Newbolt, Spooner, & the Bp of Norwich. The last told me many significant stories about 'iste archideaconus'. Later Pearce & I went to Freemasons' Hall for the investiture of 'grand officers'. I was duly invested as a Grand Chaplain, & subsequently dined with the Brethren. Lord St Aldwyn, Victor Williamson, & Col: Lockwood were all present, & spoke.

[201]

On Thursday the 29th April I returned to Durham by the morning express, arriving fairly to time. On my arrival at the Deanery I found that Harold Cox was already on the scene. I took him over the Cathedral, and walked up up [sic] to the observatory for the view. Knowling & Cruickshank came to dinner. Ella went with some female friends to Darlington for a lecture on Serbia.

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