The Henson Journals

[570]

Monday, June 12th, 1916.

679th day

The weather is cold, wet, and tempestuous. Branches were twisted from the trees by the wind, and the paths were sprinkled with green leaves. I spent the morning in my study, and read Brightman's "English Rite". I attended Evensong. Lady Londonderry with a party consisting of E. F. Benson ("Dodo"), Mrs Salzer, & Mrs Jamieson, Sir Douglas Haig's sister, arrived during service, and were regaled afterwards with sweet musick. I showed them over the Cathedral; and then we all had tea, & they saw over the Deanery. After their departure, I walked with Ernest to Dr Stenhouse's residence. Here he was inspected, & obtained a letter about his health.

I took up at random a book which I found curiously interesting:–

"An Account of the State of the Roman–Catholick Religion throughout the World. Written for the use of Pope Innocent XI, by Monsignor Cerri, Secretary of the Congregation de propagandâ Fide. Now first translated from an Authentick Italian MS. never publish'd, to which is added, A Discourse concerning the State of Religion in England. Written in French, in the Time of K. Charles I, and now first translated. With a large Dedication to the Present Pope; giving him a very particular account of the State of Religion amongst Protestants; & of several other matters of importance relating to Great Britain. By Sir Richard Steele. London. Printed for J. Roberts, near the Oxford Arms in Warwick–Lane. MDCCXV."

The Dedication is not without interest, as drawing a hostile but not wholly unfaithful picture of the Church of England at the Accession of George I. There is a curious relevance to present conditions: &, indeed, much of it reads like a satire on the Anglicanism of the XXth century.

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