The Henson Journals

[33]

Friday, February 6th, 1920.

Another utterly wasted day! The brief interval of fresh air has given way to a rise in temperature, & the spring–like conditions, which have persisted through January have returned. Wall–flowers, snow–drops, crocuses, violets, and primroses are all blooming in the garden, and the pear–blossom is on the verge of bursting into view. Mr Phelps, the Vicar of Withington, lunched here. Incidentally he mentioned William, & it appeared that he knew his family well, and that they were excellent folks. So far, so good. Professor Bacon of Yale arrived on a visit. I took him for a walk. Then the late Dean arrived, & then the present Dean & his wife. The Archdeacon joined us at dinner.

Professor Bacon tells me that he voted for Prohibition, although he had previously been opposed to it. He thinks that the policy will succeed because (α) the constitutional procedure for reversing it is extremely difficult & protracted. (β) there is a very general and determined organisation which is guarding its enforcement. (γ) there has grown up in the 'dry' states a great population which has never known alcohol or the "saloon". (ε) the civic feeling of the best citizens is really aroused against the continuance of a politically & socially corrupting system within the Republic such as the liquor interests had certainly become. The resistance & evasion have not so far exceeded what the supporters of the Prohibition Law had always expected. I am not convinced.

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