The Henson Journals

[652]

Easter Tuesday, April 25th, 1916.

631st day

A warm, clouded, rather blustering day. I went to the Cathedral, and received the Holy Communion at 8 a.m. Knowling was the Celebrant. There were 13 communicants beside the clergy.

The newspapers report the capture of Sir Roger Casement in an attempt to land German guns in Ireland. There can be no question of his treason, yet many of us will be distressed if the man who exposed the horrors of the rubber–hunters in Africa & in S. America should perish as a traitor. His extravagant conduct suggests mental aberration. One cannot play the Paladin in the tropics with impunity.

The reception of the German gun lent by the War–Office for public exhibition in the city of Durham is to be made the occasion of oratory! What can be usefully spoken is not apparent. A German gun is the symbol of that Militarism, which Prussia embodies, & which must be destroyed. It is also a symbol of Modern War, in which artillery plays the decisive part. A captured German gun is the pledge of coming victory, the first–fruits of the conquest of militarism which is to recompense us for the sorrows & sacrifices of the War. It reminds us of the cost of victory, for it is an instrument of mutilation and death. Its public exhibition is designed to strengthen our resolution; and to cheer our hearts. We pledge ourselves to support the men at the front, to hold loyally together, & to see the War through. I should like to seize the opportunity of saying what I really think of Northcliffe & the other plotters against the Government: but, perhaps, one has best steer clear of anything even remotely polemical (in the domestic sense of the word). I changed a cheque for £40: and gave half of it to Ella for wages &c. Then I made some essays in clearing up my study – a hopeless task.

[650]

Tennyson on Robertson:

'My father would say: "The first time I met Robertson I felt that he expected something notable from me because I knew that he admired my poems, that he wished to pluck the heart form my mystery: so for the life of me from pure nervousness I could talk of nothing but beer".'

v. Alfred Lord Tennyson, A Memoir vol. I. p. 264.

Kingsley on Teetotalism.

v. "Charles Kingsley, His Letters & memoirs of his Life, edited by his Wife. 2 vols." vol. I. p. 270 ff.

There was a considerable gathering of people in the market–place, when the German gun arrived: it was escorted by a troop of the D.L.I. commanded by Major Johnson. The Mayor formally received it from the Major, & then made a speech: after him I spoke, & Rogerson, & one of the officers. Then the band played "God Save the King", & we went home. I shewed Mr Barclay the Cathedral relics, and the Deanery: and then attended Evensong.

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