The Henson Journals

[452]

Monday, August 14th, 1916.

742nd day

I wrote to Violet Carruthers, condoling her on the death of her brother, Sir Arthur Markham, whose factious conduct in Parliament has long been notorious. Also I wrote Ernest, sending him a copy of "Discipline & Law".

I attended Mattins, & then spent the morning in reading Usher's "Rise & Fall of the High Commission", which is not precisely exhilarating! But it brings out the profoundly suggestive fact that the High Commission, which figures so largely in the accepted version of Laud's tyranny, did by no means merit the abuse of the Puritans. It was an exceptionally competent, expeditious, humane, and (among suitors) popular Court. Indeed its merits were a main reason for its overthrow, since it was the most effective agent for restraining Puritanism. 'After all,' observes Mr Usher, 'the vehemence of the Puritans was caused less by the Commission's methods than by its objects'. There is an impressive resemblance between the attitude of the Puritans towards the High Commission, & that of our modern Ritualists towards the Courts.

I walked with Logic round Houghall Wood: & attended Evensong.

The afternoon post brought me a letter from Reggie Still now at Edinburgh. Ella kept to her bedroom all day, not feeling well. The weather was close & unwholesome.

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