The Henson Journals

[50]

Tuesday, June 4th, 1918.

1401st day

I gave over to my Banker (1) a war loan certificate for £500; (2) my Insurance policy for £1500 together with notices of 3 quinquennial increments.

I paid wages to the servants here: and had some talk with the Archdeacon. At noon the Rev. C. F. Doddrell called to know if he dispense [sic] with the curate whom (to oblige a deceased parishioner) he has hitherto kept at Welsh Bicknor, a tiny parish with but 18 people. The squire is a papist, Col. Vaughan, brother of the cardinal. Of course, I authorized the curate's dismissal. Mr D. is a friend of Sir John Barran, & had heard much of me from him. He was followed by a Sectary, who is secretary of the Bible Society. (I always feel quite aggressively prelatical when these snuffling gentry come into view, however.) After lunch the Archdeacon joined me, & we interviewed that feeble creature, Nelson, Vicar of Leominster, with respect to the union of Stoke Prior and Humber. As a result of the interview, I wrote to Mr Wright, Patron of Pudlestone, and to Mr Rome, Vicar of Humber. Nelson was succeeded by the Mayor, who wanted me to write a formal request for the release of Percy Hull, the assistant organist, who has been in the hands of the Germans for more than 3 years. Then came Norcock, with more letters: so the day slipped away in muddling over trivialities. I wrote to Olive, and arranged a few more of the books. The work on the drains is proceeding, & the Palace is now surrounded with a trench for drainage pipes, and has the aspect of a beleaguered fort. The date of possible entry is still said to be "early in July".

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