The Henson Journals

[581]

Saturday, January 8th, 1916.

523rd day

The weather has been bright, and somewhat colder, a welcome change from the warm & windy days of the last fortnight. I spent the morning in taking the Burkitts over the Cathedral and the Castle. After lunch I distributed prizes to the Choir School in the Chapter House, and then attended Evensong. Later, I took Burkitt to see old Greenwell, whom we found a very amiable & conversational mood. He says that a cast has been made of the famous Bewcastle Cross, & promised to send me the address of the Society from which it could be obtained. Neither the Spectator nor the Nation has any reference to my letter on the "Total Abstinence" crusade. This can hardly be unintentional, & perhaps discloses a measure of embarrassment. St Loe Strachey would hardly like to denounce me: yet he could do nothing else if he were to refer to the subject. Knowling and Miss Tristram came in to dine. The latter had been formerly acquainted with Mrs Burkitt. Later Baddeley arrived from London to spend the week–end. He reports that his sister, who was to have been married last week, is still a virgin, having gone into hospital for some small operation, and being there still. This has an unfortunate sound. Mrs Darwin sent me a note to say that her husband & she agreed cordially with my letter in the "Times". I take Colonel Darwin to be a representative English gentleman, of religious profession and regular habits. Mr Horsley, the manufacturer whom A. L. Smith commended specially to my regard, also wrote to express agreement. He again is a representative man. Sir George Askwith writes to the same effect as one who has exceptional knowledge of the working classes. I find it difficult to believe that a policy which offends all these men can be either prudent, or just.

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