The Henson Journals

[10]

Thursday, June 9th, 1921.

Ella and Fearne went to Newcastle. Clayton and I went through the correspondence: & hardly had we finished before one of the curates of Ferryhill came to see me. He poured out a long & incoherent complaint against his vicar, from which I gathered that Lomax, though in his queer way a saint, is a despotic & rather capricious chief. After lunch, Clayton and I motored to Tow Law where I confirmed 42 persons. The Vicar, Espin, was absent in France. The curate showed me (Espin's) telescope, for he has a distinguished position among astronomers. The house was full of books, the library of old Chancellor Espin, the Vicar's father. This is the first parson's house that I have visited in my diocese which displays the signs of scholarly occupation! From Tow Law I motored to Stanley where I confirmed 62 persons. The church was thronged, the behaviour of the congregation being excellent. Our return journey through Crook was relieved by the beauty of the scenery illuminated by a setting sun shining from a sky heavy with wind driven clouds. Mrs Clayton arrived on a short visit.

I received a typed report of my conversation with Harold Begbie written in the best Begbie manner, with a request that I would permit its publication. This permission, however, I did not think it prudent to grant, for the report, though containing nothing actually false, did certainly fail to give a true impression of what I said to Begbie.

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