The Henson Journals

[1]

Sunday after Ascension, June 1st, 1919.

Warm, thunderous weather, but still no rain, though it is urgently needed. James, armed with wig, gown, and documents, came with me in the car to Lyonshall, where I instituted and inducted the new vicar, Cullwick, who has come from a squalid & crowded suburb of Birmingham. His churchwardens & some others came in to lunch at the Vicarage, and we had some interesting conversation. We motored next to Kingsland, where I consecrated an addition to the churchyard. A fair number of the local clergy, & a considerable gathering of the parishioners came to the service. Old Mr Jobling, the Rector, lost his wife a week ago. She had already been buried in the new ground, anticipating its consecration. The church–wardens & farmers came in to the Rectory for tea. They seemed good typical English folk, & thanked me for my sermon with a downrightness, which was rather embarrassing! Among the clergy present was Mr Whitcombe, the Vicar of Monkland, respecting whom so many strange rumours have reached me. He had an uncertain & enigmatic eye, but otherwise his aspect was rather unusually devout! But it is rarely safe to go by appearances. There was thunder & some drops of rain as we motored back to Hereford. I was back in the Palace about 6 p.m.

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