The Henson Journals

[174]

Monday, February 25th, 1918.

1302nd day

My last day in Durham was spent dolorously in preparations for departure. Hughes came in during the morning, and packed up the Anson papers. He also removed the rejected books. I went to the Bank, & arranged with Mr Moult for the transference of my accounts. We lunched with the Lillingstons, & afterwards walked out to the Rogersons, and said Goodbye. The day was perfect: & as we walked home, the beauty of the Banks was seen at its best. Bayley came to tea. I gave him Blackstone's edition of Magna Carta. Then I said Goodbye to the Vergers. They said that the last 5 years had been the happiest of their lives. Kenneth & Leslie came & finished tying up my papers. Cruickshank came in after dinner. I walked round the College with him [175] in the moonlight, talking over the past & the future. We were sad at parting. I asked him to be one of my examining chaplains. The scene was ravishingly beautiful, and brought home to me the full measure of the personal loss which my retirement from Durham implies. It certainly is not conventional cant to say that I go reluctantly, and to my impoverishment & unhappiness.

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