The Henson Journals

[410]

Monday, September 4th, 1916.

763rd day

The post brought me a letter from Colin Kennedy, who is in the great push. It contains the following:–

"What I see out here, makes me wish more than ever that the war was over. The things one sees are too awful to mention. We have just come out of action, I, personally, without a scratch, but other, unfortunately, not so fortunate. I have always realised, Rector, that at times of crisis there is nothing so wonderful as one's religion, and during the last week this has been proved over & over again. It will, I am perfectly convinced, help me to the very end".

Mostly the letters anent the Somme Films are hostile, some also abusive. I discern three streams of opinion in the defence of the exhibition: 1. The political. 'It will stimulate & sustain the war–spirit in the nation. 2. The popular. "It is enormously welcome to the 'thrill–seeking' crowds which fill normally the cinematograph halls. 3. The sentimental, mostly feminine. Bereaved women want to see what their dear boy saw &c – a morbid feeling capable of gross developments. Probably we should add an element of genuine curiosity. The "Times" contains some more hostile letters, & one on my side from that amiable savant, Ray Lankester. I wrote letters, & fooled away the morning. After Evensong I took Cunningham, (who is our guest for the meeting of the British Association) for a brief walk. He also tends to grow old: and privately confessed to having had a slight stroke. So we soon turned back, and spent the remainder of the day quietly. He retired to bed about 10 p.m.

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