The Henson Journals
Sat 19 June 1920
Volume 28, Page 25
[25]
Saturday, June 19th, 1920.
I wrote to Marion urging her to arrange with Arthur to attend the Enthronement in Durham Cathedral. We left Hereford by a train which was stated to start at 11.27 a.m., but did not start until 11.50 a.m. We travelled with several tiresome changes, but without discomfort, to York, where we arrived about 6 p.m. I was chagrined to discover that I could not "stop off" with my ticket to Darlington, & had therefore to sacrifice the part from York to Darlington. We were kindly received by the Dean & his family.
On Sunday morning, it was thought advisable to send for the doctor. Accordingly Dr Evelyn came, & pronounced me unfit to travel. Thus all my plans are again dislocated. We wrote to the Archbishop & to Lady Scarbrough explaining the situation.
Our life is but a little holding, lent
To do a mighty labour: we are one
With Heaven and the stars, when it is spent,
To serve God's aim.
This verse in Vittoria was George Meredith's favourite of all his poems. They are inscribed on his grave in the Dorking Valley Cemetery.
v. Memories of George Meredith O.M.
by Lady Butcher.
Constable & Co. 1919.