The Henson Journals

[184]

Easter Eve, March 31st, 1923.

There is nothing in the Catholicism of Canada, or Ireland, or Spain, to hold out against modern education: & the clericals know that well enough, & put all their trust in ignorance & obscurantism. Already, Ireland is developing a strong anti–clericalism of a French pattern: & Spain is dry grass waiting to catch fire. I was struck yesterday by the truth of a remark by an Italian liberal, that the conflict was less between Catholicism & Science than between Catholicism & Christianity; that is, I fancy, between the pagan & the Christian elements of Catholicism.

Tyrell. Letter. March 15th, 1904 (p. 95).

The anti–clericalism, which was already visible to an acute Irishman in 1904, has grown into a strong, possibly a decisive, factor of Irish life during the last 20 years.

The Times reports the death of my God–daughter, Paula Inge. I wrote briefly to Ralph, who will feel her loss deeply. Also, I leaned of the death of my cousin, Frank Henson's only son, Ellis, in India. I wrote to the boy's father. I went through the Communion service with John, the Butler's boy, who will communicate for the first time tomorrow I wrote to George Nimmins, and to Cecil Fortescue.

The weather, brilliant in the early morning, worsened rapidly, and settled down to a steady rain.

---