The Henson Journals

[194]

Monday, September 3rd, 1923.

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The weather was brilliant, and added enjoyment to the expedition which we made to Northwick Hall. Aleck, his two boys, and I left the house at 10.15 a.m., and motored about 60 miles to lunch with Captain Spencer Churchill, & to see his magnificent collection of coins, bronzes, pictures etc. We found him seated in his study at a table covered with statuettes & other antiques in a room of which the walls were hung with master–pieces of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Romney, & other masters. The owner of these treasures is a good–looking man, apparently not much above 40 years of age, with a frank manner, & a winning address. After entertaining us at lunch, he showed us his picture gallery. It has many admirable works by Italian, Dutch, & Flemish masters. He showed us also his rich collection of Greek coins, & his fine specimens of medieval illumination. Then he proposed that we should visit his stables & gardens. We found that he unites the keenest interest in cattle, sheep, dogs, and poultry with an intelligent concern for the arts. We had tea, & returned to Brockham End by way of Cheltenham. The milometer on the car registered 124 miles.

It is a notable evidence of my ignorance that I had never so much as heard of the collections in Northwick Hall until I viewed them today.

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