The Henson Journals

[58]

Boxing Day, December 26th, 1922.

A bright but very cold morning. At 9.30 a.m. we left the castle, and motored to Sunderland, where I had undertaken to dedicate the War–Memorial. A procession was formed, not without some confusion, at the Town Hall, & marched to the memorial, an imposing column sustained a winged figure of Victory. A clergymen repeated the Lord's Prayer: a hymn was sung: a Rabbi read a lesson: a Secretary offered a Prayer. The monument was unveiled by Col: Vaux. I dedicated it, & blessed the crowd. Then a minute's silence, & short speeches from the ex–Mayor in handing over the monument; and the mayor in accepting it. Then "God save the King", and the function concluded.

Edgar Dobbie came to see me, and stayed to tea. I gave him a copy of the "Scott" speech.

Clayton went home for a short holiday after the function at Sunderland.

William said Goodbye. He goes off by the early train tomorrow and is pledged to return on Thursday next week. It is a perilous situation to be without a car for so long.

I read with much interest most of Bishop Hicks's Life, which has just been published. He was a man of great ability, great courage, and great piety. But he was handicapped by 2 disadvantages which held him back for years – lack of family influence, and a strong twist towards fanaticism.

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