The Henson Journals

[222]

Saturday, September 22nd, 1923.

A volume of poems comes from Hugh Lyon. It was but yesterday that we were wondering what had become of him. He has a 'pretty pen', and a poetic temperament, but the mantle of Wordsworth has not fallen on him!

I spent the morning in writing a sermon for use tomorrow, and in preparing notes for the afternoon's function.

After lunch Clayton and I went to Holmside where I dedicated a war–memorial which took the form of a tower equipped with a clock and bells. The Ritsons were in force. One Colonel unveiled the tabled: another set the clock going: the old man unlocked the door. I pronounced the short dedication formula, and gave an address in the open air. There was a considerable congregation, but the function was marred by the noisy cheers from an adjacent football match! In this parish there is a population of £2500, and a mean little church, which seats less than 200.

Fletcher send me two of my own letters to W. P. Ker, which had been found among his papers. He asks me to send him any of Ker's letters to me which I possess. I turned out the drawers which hold my general letters, but I found no more than two of his. There must be more, but where they are, or whether they have been preserved, I know not. Now that my friends are passing away I regret ever more intensely my carelessness in preserving & arranging their letters.

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