The Henson Journals

[157]

Ash Wednesday, February 9th, 1921.

I celebrated in the Chapel at 8 a.m. There were 12 comts including William. After breakfast I did correspondence, & worked at the speech for Hartlepool. In the afternoon, we (Ella, Fearne, Clayton, & I) walked to Binchester, & looked at the Roman remains. After tea, I wrote letters, including one to Maish about Belmont.

The following books I have read through with interest:–

1. Rebuilding Britain by Sir Alfred Hopkinson, K.C.

2. A History of British Socialism by M. Beer.

3. In search of a Peaceful World, by Sir Charles W. Macara.

4. Nationalisation of the Mines, by Frank Hodges.

The "People's Year Book" for 1920 has an excellent article on "Labour in the New Era by J. R. Clynes M.P. He ends with one threatening sentence, designed perhaps to reassure his comrades & constituents, & permit them to see that there is an iron hand under the velvet glove:–

"In making, during the new era, the changes which would wipe away the grievances suffered during the old, we need show to the useless drones of the kingdom no mercy whatever. But we shall require to show every quality of statesmanship to prevent any change upon which we may be able to insist being a change for the worse."

Who are "the drones of the kingdom"? No doubt 'the classes' can produce many specimens, but what of 'the masses' among whom the cult of "ca' canny" is running like a mill race?

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