The Henson Journals

[163]

Wednesday, August 29th, 1917.

1122nd day

The morning post brought me pleasant letters from George, who is waiting at Lamlash for a convoy, Gilbert who has received his well–merited promotion to the captaincy of his company, & Norman, who by way of assisting his recovery from nerve–shock is riding a motor–bicycle in the Isle of Wight! Also a letter from Lawrence Holt enclosing a very vivid narrative from the Master of one of his firm's ships which had been torpedoed or struck a mine. This with three requests to preach made up my whole "post" for this morning. I attended Mattins. While sitting at work in my study I was invaded by an irate parson in lay clothes who complained that he had not been allowed to enter the Galilee without paying 6d and on principle he wd pay nothing, etc., etc. I placated him, & took him into the Galilee myself. This man was named Carter, & is the vicar of S. Dionis, Fulham. Lady Scarbrough & her daughter Serena came to lunch, and Bailey joined us. The rain fell in torrents during the afternoon, so I abandoned my intention of going to Ramside. Mrs Darwin was at Evensong, & came in to the Deanery afterwards & talked with me for an hour. Then I tried to do something at the Memoir. The "Times" is filled with grievous reports of damage to the crops by the great tempest and deluge of the last two days. It certainly is extraordinarily unfortunate that this year of all years the harvest should be ruined by the weather. The fanaticks will be pointing the moral that a Sabbath–breaking spring ensures a disastrous autumn. A foolish parson from Devonshire sends me a printed paper in which it is gravely affirmed that in order to win the war, there is one thing needful viz. the appointment of a day for Public Prayer! If one were a bishop, would it be considered necessary to treat that kind of nonsense with respect? I see that Burge is organizing a great mission to the Munition workers of the Southwark Diocese, & that a great company of bishops & other clergy are announced to take part in it. Among these is the notorious "Father" Paul Bull, who seems, in spite of everything, to be able to command entrance wherever he wills to go. It puzzles me greatly.

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