The Henson Journals

[9]

Tuesday, October 28th, 1919.

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Canon Simpson left after breakfast. I motored to Pembridge, where a celebration of Holy Communion had been arranged in connexion with the Rector's funeral. I celebrated & was assisted by the Rural Dean and Simpson. The brilliance of the autumnal colouring was wonderful, but there is the nip of winter in the air. I attended the meeting of the Board of Finance. We choice [sic] Captain Christmas to be paid secretary. He has an engaging candour of aspect & manner, which ought to commend him to the clergy & churchwardens.

I received a letter from Lord Bryce, who had received from Dicey a copy of my Strike–sermon. He writes in terms of high appreciation. It is grimly suggestive that I win only the approbation of octogenarians – Dicey, Frederic Harrison, Bryce! I suppose it is the case that I am really one of their contemporaries. This must be an enormous handicap when, as needs must be, I come into any public discussion. For I am plainly archaic &, at best, only half intelligible. Yet what help is there? Few things are more ludicrous, & none more futile than for the aged to simulate youth!! Moreover there seem to be no fixed & recognizable principles in this new "Liberalism", which I can discern & try to accept!

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