The Henson Journals

[33]

Whit Tuesday, May 21st, 1918.

1387th day

I sent Mrs Paulin's letter (Bedwyn, Combe Down, Bath) about her unpaid Harley Pension to the solicitors of the Harley Trust (Messrs Harrison, Pollock, & Harrison, Vernon House, Sicilian Ave. Bloomsbury Sq. W.C.1).

The Post brought a letter from the Dean of Christ Church stating that the Governing Body will not return Barnard's music. So my labours are vain.

At 10 a.m. we started in the motor for Rock and Beardley in the Worcestershire part of the diocese, where I had undertaken to confirm. We travelled without any untoward incident, and reached Hereford shortly before 7 p.m. The heat was great, and the country looked most beautiful. Rock Parish Church is a noble building, mainly Norman, with a Perpendicular tower. The elaborately ornamented chancel arch, and the North–western porch are unusually fine examples of late Norman work. Here I confirmed 46 candidates, among whom was Hilda Jenkins, the Vicar's younger daughter. After lunching at the Vicarage, we went on to Beardley, and here I confirmed 34 candidates. This church is architecturally beneath contempt, and I was not well–impressed by anything. We had tea at the Vicarage before starting for our return ourney.

The papers report an air–raid of unusual scale & severity which took place in London on Sunday night. There was little damage done, but great loss of life & limb. Exasperation rises ever, & makes peace ever more unthinkable.

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