The Henson Journals

[46]

Saturday, June 1st, 1918.

1398th day

The news from the Front continues to be bad. The Germans are now back to the Marne, and have cut the main line between Paris and Chalons. Foch seems to have been hopelessly out–numbered.

Before getting up I wrote to Ella, and to Ernest Rudling. Radcliffe was breakfasting in the Club, & I joined him. It appears that he also makes Garland's his halting place. After breakfast I answered Lieut–Colonel Le Mesurier's important letter about Ordination.

Then I walked to Westminster, and called on Gow, who is aging & melancholy. As I walked back to the Club, I was accosted in the Park by an officer in khaki, who desired my counsel on the vexed question how, being a divorced man, the "innocent party", he could get married in church. I advised the registry office. He evidently is pressed by the lady's desire for a marriage in church. I assured him that a registry marriage was fully valid both by the law of the land, & by the law of the Church. After lunching I ran through a disgusting story – "Pretty Woman" by Arnold Bennet – a study in harlotry under war–conditions. I wrote to Ernest. When walking to Westminster to dine with Charles, I overtook the Bishop of London, and walked with him. He is evidently much exercised by these Romanizing Ritualists, but his desire to keep all things pleasant paralyzes him. Craik & his wife dined. We sate in the Garden, & talked pleasantly enough. I walked back to my Hotel about 10 p.m.

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