The Henson Journals

[222]

Wednesday, November 22nd, 1916.

842nd day

A bright morning with a white frost on the ground, very wintry to look at. Still bad news from Roumania – Craiova has fallen. It uncovers Orsova, the Key of the Danube; and almost certainly opens the "Iron Gates", giving again free passage for munitions down the great river, & relieving the German invader of dependence on the Carpathian passes. Also, the death of the old Emperor, Francis Joseph, is reported. The political effects of this event have probably been fully discounted during the long period of senility which preceded it. Still, it may add something to the general sense of dissolution, which is spreading in Austria.

The post brought me a presentation copy of a book entitled "Church Divisions and Christianity" by Prebendary Grane, the same foolish and prolific writer who published that curiously silly book (which ran through four divisions!) "The Passing of War". He appears to think that the problem of reunion will be solved by the antiquarians! As if fanaticks could be so easily cured! "Wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?" I apprehend that the sacerdotalist frenzy is a more formidable monster than Leviathan. The prosing of antiquaries will be no more effective than the bleating of the pacifists.

I attended Mattins & Evensong. At 4 p.m. Philip le Mesurier took me out for a walk. We had much conversation on religious matters; & I allowed myself to speak very frankly to him. He seems a good youth, not disinclined to rebel against the rather aggressive sacerdotalism of his present surroundings. Walking & talking were no unimportant part of the educational process to which the undergraduate was subjected at Oxford. Why not also at Durham?

[220]

November 22nd 1916

My dear Miss Anson

I should be grateful if you would put together for my use so much information as, in your judgment, seems requisite on the "preliminary factors" of a career (e.g. family, home life, childhood &c &c) up to the time when the Warden went to Eton,

Next, I want you to consider who wd give me a trustworthy account of his life at Eton, & Balliol. I have it in my mind to write to R. E. Prothero, and the President of Magdalen, both of whom wd have known him well. For his career as a politician, that is, in Parliament, I think, Mr Rawlinson, the member for Cambridge University, Mr Balfour, Colonel Lockwood, and the Speaker might help us. What do you think of these names? If you can suggest others, I shall be grateful.

You will see that my mind is revolving what I look upon as a sacred task, though, as I told you before, I cannot really set to work until the New Year.

Believe me,

Dear Miss Anson

Most sincerely yours,

H. Hensley Henson

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