The Henson Journals

[187]

Saturday, May 10th, 1919.

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There was a thunderstorm last night with some rain, but this day is again warm & summer like. After breakfast I walked to the Athenaeum. Welldon was there. He seems more pleased with himself than his performance with the crowd altogether justified. Old Mr Hoare was there, & insisted on my reading a small book on "Establishment" which he wrote some years since. I ran through it, & found it a very sensible production. After lunch Ralph and I went to Kew Gardens.The train was fearfully overcrowded, so that the atmosphere became asphyxiating. Nothing could exceed the beauty of the Gardens. We lay on the grass, & talked together. Then we made our way back to the Deanery.

This being Ella's Birthday, I went to the bookseller, and bought Sir Frederick Bridge's "A Westminster Pilgrim" as a birthday present for her. The gossiping old egotist has brought together a good deal of material, much of which hardly seems worth printing. But the personal note is very acceptable to a large public. There is always the suggestion of lifting the veil, and allowing a sight of what is normally hidden. And this carries the promise of something "spicey", showing an unsuspected side of well–known individuals; in short, providing scandal. Then one likes to read of men & events which one has known & witnessed.

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