The Henson Journals

[98]

Thursday, January 4th

885th day

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Geordie Gore went away after breakfast. I paid the household bills, which show a disconcerting increase. Boutflower lunched here. He wanted to discuss with me the new scheme for Sherburn Hospital. Ernest and I walked for an hour in a fair sunshine which was a hypocritical masque of a bitter wind. The choirboys came and sang carols in the drawing room for an hour. We asked the residents in the College, and a few others to come in. I gave the boys severally sixpence, and Ella added an orange, and a Christmas card.

The Dean of Chester has a letter in the "Times" supporting me: and the Bishop of Norwich sent me his "Charge" with a letter expressing agreement with me on the subject of multiplying bishopricks.

I find Bishop Hall so interesting that I waste much time in reading what has no bearing on the purposes for which I am now concerned with him. His opinion of Russian Christians is notable:–

These are the basest dregs of all Christians…..These are as ignorant as Turks, as idolatrous as heathens, as obstinate as Jews, and more superstitious than papists".

Perhaps this view was not more wide of the mark than the excessive laudation which now prevails.

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