The Henson Journals

[69]

Monday, December 13th, 1920.

After breakfast, George took his departure. Then, when I had written some indispensable letters, I set to prepare a speech in advocacy of the appeal for the Durham Colleges, which the College–folk appear resolved to work into my proposal of the toast of the college tomorrow. I am not wholly pleased with this arrangement, nor do I think it sound tactics that I should "spread myself" over two appeals for funds–that for the better payment of the clergy, & that for the Durham colleges. Nor is it easy to see how I can escape coming into collision with the Newcastle branch of the University. Moscroft, the diocesan architect, came to lunch, & to examine the matter of insurance. Also Petrie, the vicar of S. Barnabas, Hendon. After lunch I went to the County School for girls, & distributed the certificates. The inevitable speech having been made, I returned to the castle. That ever generous lady, Mrs Dillon, sends me two books as a Christmas present, viz: Admiral Sims' "The Victory at Sea"; and Wicksteed's Hibbert Lectures on "The Relations between Dogma & Philosophy, illustrated from the works of S. Thomas Aquinas". I read a good part of the first: it gives an interesting account of the submarine war, & shows how very nearly the Germans succeeded in forcing us to give in. Our people were richly fed on official lies all through the War. We are reaping the harvest now in an orgy of mutual distrust.

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