The Henson Journals
Mon 8 November 1915
Volume 20, Page 481
[481]
Monday, November 8th, 1915.
462nd day
"Teach me to know mine end, and the number of my years that I may be certified how long I have to live".
Show Thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto Thee.
Charles & Dorothy went off at 8.20 a.m. They had time to wish me 'many happy returns of the day' before leaving: & they embodied their goodwill in a Birthday gift of some charming cut glass. The morning post brought me affectionate letters from the ladies at Birchington, and Olive. Also I received a Birthday card from 'A storm–tossed Woman, one greatly uplifted by your beautiful sermons of 1906.' Probably, Anonyma is also weak–witted! Knowling sent me a kind little note. By the midday post came a letter from W. P.; and a card from Helen Beeching. Also an anonymous post card from 'one of your old hearers at S. Margaret's, who regrets your absence every Sunday'! She (I assume that to be the sex of my friend) adds a quotation from Mark Twain: "Praise is well, blame is well; but affection is the final & most precious reward that any man can win". Ella went off to Newcastle to see the dentist: so that I lunched alone. After lunch I started for a walk with Logic, but was sent back by the rain. Then I attended Evensong. The senior choirboy came and thanked me for the cakes & sixpences. After dinner I wrote a number of letters, & then read Loisy's brochure to my wife until bed–time. What a day–full of infinite fatuity! Old Greenwell sent me a letter of Birthday congratulations, and exhorted me with the authority of a well–preserved veteran of 95 1/2, not to over–work myself. How little he knows me!