The Henson Journals

[36]

Wednesday, November 17th, 1920.

The 'Times' contained what must be regarded as an unusually full account of yesterday's proceedings. By midday the debate was closured, & the Parish Councils Bill given a general approval. I lunched at the House of Lords with Nickson. At 3.45pm I took my seat in that august assembly. The ceremonial was brief, but very quaint. Gilbert picked me up after the session, & we had tea together. I dined at the Athenceum.

I had much interesting talk with a Judge, who sate next to me in the dining room. He made my acquaintance when I was Dean of Durham, & he came there on circuit. He told me that he was himself persuaded that Greenwood was guilty, & that five judges discussing together the case took the same view, though one doubted. He admitted that the evidence was inadequate, & that the case for the Crown had been badly handled. The L.C.F. thought that the judge should have directed the Jury to bring in a verdict of attempted poisoning. For arsenic had been given, & probably by the prisoner, but the woman may have died from the morphia pills. He said that the work of a judge was very fatiguing. He felt more tired after his day in court, than he had felt after 15 hours work when at the bar. Hadow was in the club, brisk and cheerful as ever. I wish he was back again in Newcastle.

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