The Henson Journals

[62]

Thursday, May 31st, 1917.

1032nd day

I received the Holy Communion in S. Gregory's Chapel. Immediately afterwards Dennett told me that Browne had secured from Dr Smith a complete & categorical withdrawal of his letter to me: that, after examination, he cd find no trace of tuberculosis; & that there was no reason why he shd not continue in his position!! In the house I found a letter from Dr Smith substantially to this effect: & later Browne shewed me similar letters addressed to himself. All this casts a strange light on the professional competence of Dr Smith. I shall insist on having an independent opinion on Browne's health before I acquiesce in his continuing as an assistant in the school. On this point I consulted both Bishop Quirk and Cruickshank. They agreed with my view.

At noon I presided over a meeting of the educational Committee of the Sherburn Trustees. Boutflower came to lunch. The little man is rather resentful of the new scheme for the Sherburn Trust, but I tried to persuade him to regard it as a merciful pis aller. Later, I attended a meeting of the Theological Faculty, & there wasted an hour. Cruickshank came to discuss the scheme for the Neville Screen. I suggested that France shd be represented by Joan of Arc: America by the figure of Liberty: & Japan by a Samurai warrior: and that the four niches above should be filled by the representatives of the "martyr–nations", viz. Belgium, Serbia, Poland, & Armenia. These would stand on either side of the Christ in Judgment, to Whom they might seem to appeal for vindication against their persecutors. Their earthly champions wd be presented in the six great niches below. If ever the scheme is carried out, and a careful explanation of it is printed & placed in the hands of the vergers, a most important addition to the interest of the Cathedral will have been made, & the value of its didactic function considerably increased. The main objection lies in the difficulty of finding a sculptor, competent for so great a work.

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