The Henson Journals

[81]

Wednesday, July 27th, 1921.

Last year on this day I was "confirmed" in York Minster, and thus became fully charged with the Bishoprick of Durham. Today, therefore, I enter on "the second year of my translation".

After breakfast I had much conversation with Col. Dr Hunter, who saw much service as a doctor during the war in Egypt and Serbia. His admiration for the Serbs is only equalled by his contempt for the Greeks. He said that it was a current saying in Serbia, that if a Serb woman gave birth to a child whose father was a Turk, it was usual to strangle the babe, whereas, in the like circumstances, a Bulgar woman would bring the child up. The saying expresses the Serbian boast of purity of blood. Such independence & courage as were found among the Greeks came from the islands: the Greeks of the mainland were effete. Our host joined us, and our talk turned on to home politics. I was struck by the distrust of L.G. which found expression, and the inability to suggest a possible alternative as Prime Minister.

After an early lunch we all motored to Pontesbury where the wedding had been arranged. There I united in wedlock Nicholas Fielden and Noel Swire. The large church was crowded, and the service proceeded well enough, though the nagging incompetence of the local clergy impressed me. I made a brief oration to the people instead of the appointed address. Afterwards we proceeded to the reception in the bride's house. A very large company came together, and everything appeared to proceed satisfactorily.

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