The Henson Journals

[166]

Friday, February 15th, 1924.

The great error of Napoleon was a continued obtrusion on mankind of his want of all community of feeling for or with them…. Such were his speeches to public assemblies as well as individuals: & the single expression which he is said to have used on returning to Paris after the Russian winter had destroyed his army, rubbing his hands over a fire, "This is pleasanter than Moscow", would probably alienate more favour from his cause than the destruction & reverses which led to the remark.

Byron. Note on "Childe Harold" iii.41. (II. 294)

I worked again at the Undergraduates Sermon, but with poor result. It is in such compositions, and in all approaches to Youth, that I feel the terrible disadvantage of never having experienced any of youth's normal fortunes.

I finished "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage", with a profound admiration. The Great War has restored the needed atmosphere in which its mood is natural, and its moral attractive. It certainly is a very great achievement.

I wrote to Lady Gainford about Faith's marriage: to Mr William Smith of Durham about the Hoardings–sites: the Secretary of the St Nicholas, Durham, council about Prayer Book Revision.

The weather today was first brilliant, then unsettled and even stormy, finally calm & cold.

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