The Henson Journals

[35]

Tuesday, May 13th, 1924.

I motored to Durham, & collated Little to his hon. canonry in the Castle Chapel. Also I instituted & licensed divers clergy. Then I lunched at the Club with Wilson. After lunch I had an interview with the rheumatical Welshman who has been taking duty at Pelton during the Vicar's absence. He has a son at Keble who wants a grant to assist him in his academic course: & he himself wants a living! The daughters of the horse–leech have many descendants. Then I motored to Wolsingham, & there confirmed 77 candidates. After tea with the Rector, I went on to Crook, & confirmed a sick girl in bed, before going to the parish church for the general confirmation – whereat 74 candidates were presented. There is life in this church, but everything is very rough. Between the heat of the atmosphere, (for the church was very crowded, & the windows fast closed,) & the raucousness of the singing, I was near to fainting. However they meant well, & the candidates were attentive & earnest. After the service, I returned to Auckland.

My mind steadily hardens to the resolution that I will, in spite of the waywardness of the Dean and the timidity of the Canons, carry out my purpose of making K. the successor of Q. in all his three offices. For, not only would it be pessimi exempli[of a worst example] to give way to an opposition so plainly unreasonable, but also I cannot see any other appointment which would be so good. Besides, I think equity requires that I should stick to K.

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