The Henson Journals

[46]

24th Sunday after Trinity, November 18th, 1917.

1203rd day

A gloriously beautiful morning, the eastern sky all glowing with translucent opal, wonderful to look upon.

The Judge attended service "in state" at Mattins. In the course of the proceedings, the High Sheriff "felt faint" and retired. This was mischance number one. Then Watkins screamed & ranted intolerably for a full half–hour about War–savings! This was mischance number two. I really felt humiliated at such a display in such a place & on such an occasion. The High Sheriff, rather humbled by his earlier experience, brought the Judge & his Marshall (a long man called Harris) to lunch. The Judge, Salter, is a conventional lawyer, who sate in the House of Commons, & "takes himself" rather seriously. At Evensong Lady Londonderry appeared with Hadow & two other guests (Col: & Mrs Duncombe). They came in to tea, whither I brought the Judge & his Marshal after showing them round the cathedral. Divers other folks came in to tea, so that we had quite a party. I omitted to mention that there was a third mischance – Freeman slept when he should have "pokered" me to the Lectern!

After all the company had departed, I felt strangely fatigue, quite as much indeed as if I had been doing good work! After dinner I read poetry to Miss Liddell, choosing small pieces which are my own favourites, either for their own merit, or for their association with some person that I love. Beyond writing a long letter to Philip le Mesurier anent his craving for the Scarlet Woman, & more briefly to the Bishop of Manchester, I have little to put to the credit side of this day's account!

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