The Henson Journals

[218]

Wednesday, March 16th, 1921.

"Why there is, 'tis true, a winged sort of elephant, hath a peculiar trunk too like the other, is not so docile and good–natured, but impudent, flying in every man's face, and sanguinary, thirsting always after blood: and, as if it were some considerable wild beast, makes a terrible buzze; but in conclusion 'tis a pitiful, giddy, blind, troublesome insect, ingendered in a night's time in every marish, can but run a pore thorow and give but a skinne–wound, & the least touch of a man's finger will crush it." ("The Divine in Mode" p.16).

This suggests the famous passage in Burke, & is certainly not inferior. On his visits to Holland, Sweden, & Spain Marvell had evidently made acquaintance with mosquitoes.

Clayton and I left the Castle at noon, and motored to Durham, where I called on the Bishop of Jarrow, and then lunched with the Archdeacon. Then I presided over a meeting of the Diocesan Conference Committee. After having tea with Mrs Quirk, we motored to Sunderland, and there I confirmed 112 persons in St Ignatius's Church. This was a dignified and well–arranged service. Before the Benediction I gave badges & administered pledges to the members of the C.E.M.S. We had supper with Canon Sykes & his family very pleasantly, and then motored back to the Castle in bright moonlight, arriving about 11.15 p.m.

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