The Henson Journals

[139]

Saturday, April 17th, 1920.

After breakfast I walked round to James's office, and transacted some urgent business. Then I dictated some letters to Fearne. Mr Ward, the Vicar of Croft, called about the schools in his parish. I counselled surrendering them to the local authority. It is too late now to spend money on the schools, which must in any case be handed over to the State shortly. He stayed to lunch. After lunch I received a deputation of parishioners from Coddington protesting against the union of that little parish with Wellington Heath. I was very polite, but gave no hope, that my mind could be changed. The total population of Coddington is only 120, and the value of the living about £230.

I sent copies of the Memoir to Carissima and to Arthur. Oman writes to say that he has received his copy from the Press:

"I have just got from the Clarendon Press your life of the Warden – most interesting of course to those who like us of 1883 saw practically the whole of his rule. I think it is a very good sketch – but could have stood more of the College & less of the politics. But of course those who want to know about All Souls in detail are but a handful. You hit his wisdom off perfectly well, the more I think over him he more do I marvel at the fact with which he discharged a most difficult office. Fancy having to deal with Robarts for one hour, & Holland for the next, each set on his particular grievance! And he was always a kindly being."

[140]

The Sin–hounds.

My sins, like stag–hounds, do my soul pursue,

Wish eager haste they hunt from scent to view,

And though I cross & double as I go,

And soil in Lethe's conscience dead'ning flow,

I cannot baffle them by devious flight,

Remorse, the Huntsman, always casts them right.

I cannot tell, I do not know, alack!

How many hounds there may be in the pack;

I know that some are big, and black as night,

And some, like whippets, slim and buff and white.

The bigger hounds are mute as on they fly,

The little sin–dogs make the loudest cry.

F. C. G.

I copied these lines from the Westminster Gazette. The initials are those of Carruthers Gould, the cartoonist.

I sent the inscription for John's christening mug as follows:

John Edward Dicey Radford.

Baptised March 25th 1916.

in the Cathedral, Allahabad.

from his Godfather.

Herbert, Bishop of Hereford.

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