The Henson Journals

[195]

Friday, October 18th, 1918.

1537th day

There was a thick fog, which hung over the city all the forenoon. I walked into the City to change a cheque. On the way I was hailed by a khaki–clad person who introduced himself as

Archdeacon Cody from Toronto. He said that everybody in Canada had rejoiced in my appointment to the Bpk. He had been appointed Minister of Education (whatever that may mean) to the government of Ontario, & was returning to Canada in a week's time to take up his new duties. I promised to preach for him in his fine new church when next I visited Canada. I returned to the Club, and wrote to Carissima. Parkin joined me at lunch. He gave me a bad account of poor Raleigh who now seems barely able to communicate with visitors. Parkin is an ardent advocate of this nonsensical "autonomy", and seems mightily taken with "Life and Liberty". I indicated my disapproval, which surprised him; but he is getting so deaf that conversation in a public place is not easy. Having paid my reckoning at the Hotel, we came away to Paddington, where we caught the 3 p.m. express to Hereford. The train was very crowded, but we travelled in comparative comfort. Mrs Best from Burghill was in our carriage.

The rapid advance of the armies under King Albert promises to relieve Belgium of the hateful presence of the German oppressors. With the recovery of the coast, the menace of the submarines diminished, and Londoners allow themselves to assume that there can be no more air–raids.

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