The Henson Journals

[51]

Wednesday, June 5th, 1918.

1402nd day

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The most scandalous law–suit within living memory ended yesterday with the acquittal of the most impudent libeller since Titus Oates. We are manufacturing the "psychological climate" of revolution at a great pace. Proeter–natural [sic] suspicion is in the air, & no lie is too monstrous for public acceptance. Pemberton–Billing is one of those sinister figures which presage disaster to the society which they disturb and exploit. Maud Allan is, of course, merely a fragment of the garbage which accumulates in our modern world, infecting and exhausting it. The worst feature of the whole miserable case is that there does exist just enough truth in the vast lie to paralyze those who would punish the brazen Liar. "We are betrayed by what is false within". While the nation has been absorbed in its Scandal, the critical battle of the War proceeds in France. I motored to Ganarew, a little parish near Monmouth on the edge of the diocese, & lunched in an extremely beautiful place with Mr Levett, who is purchasing the property which he has been renting for 4 years past. He & his wife are full of complaints of their parson, the Revd W. O. Jones, who resides in Monmouth. The whole population of the parish is but 137, and there is no vicarage house. The patronage belongs to Oriel College. I half–promised to spend a Sunday at Ganarew, and to bring Ella with me. The Levetts strike me as kindly folk, who are not very "churchy", but disposed to be helpful. Bateman recommends a gardener, but he wants 45/– per week, which is a larger sum than I have contemplated. However – [sic, end of entry]

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