The Henson Journals

[17]

Low Sunday, April 27th, 1924.

Rain fell heavily until about 2 p.m. In spite of this there was a great congregation of soldiers & people in the nave at a special service held in honour of St George.

Ella and I received the Holy Communion in the Cathedral at 7.45 a.m. The Dean celebrated. It was a quiet & reverent service, & followed the Prayer Book lawfully.

The Sunday paper reported the death of Bishop Quirk. This was an unexpected blow, as the latest reports had been favourable. A canonry at Durham, the Archdeaconry of Durham, & the suffragan bishoprick are all vacated.

The Dean and I took a short 'constitutional' in the rain. At 6.30 p.m. I preached in the Nave. The large congregation was very attentive, and, I think, interested. The Bishop of Exeter & Lady Florence came to see me during the afternoon, & stayed for the service.

I made Gamble read through my Byron lecture. He expressed warm approval, &, as I allow myself to assume his sincerity, I was pleased & reassured. For on a literary subject his opinion is not without weight.

Radcliffe's death at Oxford was reported last week. So the usual trinity of fatalities is completed – Mrs Headlam, Radcliffe, & Bishop Quirk.

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