The Henson Journals

[40]

Wednesday, June 29th, 1921.

S. Peter's Day – the dedication day of my great chapel – should be observed with magnificence and general joy, commemorating the almost miraculous recovery of Church and monarchy after the catastrophe of the Great Rebellion. Bishop Cosin's reflections must have been mingled, when he called to mind his whole course in Durham since his early conflicts with old Prebendary Smart, and his triumphant consecration of Pudsey's re–constructed Hall.

I went to the Hair–dresser, and was trimmed. Then I walked to Westminster, and had an interview with Lea respecting income–tax! I lunched at the Athenaeum, and then went into the City, and dedicated a Tablet to the memory of members of the Accountants' department of the General Post office. Mr Kellaway unveiled the tablet, & made a short speech. Then I picked up my bags at 21 Park Lane, and went to King's Cross, where I caught the 5.40 p.m. express. My compagnon de voyage was a well–built man of about 30–35, who (as he told me) had entered the War as a private in 1914, and come out of it unscathed as a Colonel in 1918. He was a great friend of Simon, & evidently a dissenter. We reached Darlington a few minutes past 11 p.m. There I was met by William & James, & was motored to the Castle, arriving shortly before midnight.

I gave a guinea to the presentation to Miss Walpole, the Lady Assistant Librarian, who is going to Canada as Sec. to B. Byng.

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