The Henson Journals

[164]

Tuesday, March 13th, 1923.

I finished the Penrith Sermon, and wrote letters. Then, seduced by the fineness of the day, for the sun shone, & the air was balmy as in the spring, I went out into the garden. A young man was at the gate sketching. He asked permission to sketch in the garden, and being in an amiable mood for the weather pleased me, I not only gave him leave, for which he asked, but also showed him the Castle itself, for which courtesies he was most grateful. Dolphin came to lunch, & spake much of the late Archdeacon, but nowise to his credit. Then Clayton and I motored to Durham, and saw Wilson at his office. We went next to Brancepeth, where we had tea in the Rectory, before going to the Church for the confirmation. I confirmed 85 candidates, of whom a substantial proportion were C.L.B. lads from Willington. But the congregation coughed mercilessly, & disturbed me badly. From Brancepeth we motored to Brandon, where I confirmed 103 candidates, all from that parish. I was pleased with reverence of the service, and the attention of the candidates. We returned to the Castle, arriving shortly after 9 p.m.

Evelyn Cecil wrote to thank me for m reference to the Divorce Court reports, which, he said, would help him in his effort to prohibit the publication of such reports. The lawyers & the baser pressmen are the principal opponents.

---