The Henson Journals

[233]

Monday, May 31st, 1915.

301st day

After breakfast, we motored to Borcovicus (Housesteads) on the wall. Canon Savage & his curate Mr Ballance went with us. The wind was too strong & keen for comfort, and there was a stormy sky, but even so, the scene was remarkably impressive. On our return journey we burst a tyre. After lunching in Hexham, we motored back to Durham by way of Shotley Bridge and Lanchester. The day had now cleared up, & we journeyed through a smiling country under bright sun. We arrived in the Deanery about 4.30 p.m. Savage assures me that the Bishop of Newcastle is in a very bad state of health, & can hardly be expected to outlive this year. It is not without a certain suggestiveness that so many of our Bishops should for one reason or another be so decrepit as not to achieve their tasks. Moule has been ailing for many months, taking little or no duty. Drury has been long on the sick list. Chavasse & Jayne are both supposed to be more or less ill. Yet the Church stumbles along with or without the Apostolical Indispensibles!!

---