The Henson Journals

[135]

Saturday, August 2nd, 1924.

My "holiday" has begun, and my appointed task cries out for a start to be made, and I can do no more than fumble about my study, tearing up paper, re–collecting scattered books, and accumulating a degree of personal uncleanness through dust & dirt that makes me repulsive to myself. Every element in my nature which is hostile to work gathers force, and threatens to defeat my good purpose. "There is a law in my members", as St Paul might say, which goes far to defeat the "law of my mind". With the Apostle I can but cry out 'O wretched man that I am!' Beyond writing a quite superfluous letter to an editor, and thanking Linetta for her condolence I had achieved nothing before the car arrived to take me to Durham for Brown's institution to the canonry.

After instituting Brown, we went to the Club, and were entertained at lunch by Wilson with his usual generosity. Apperley, Archdeacon Derry, Brown, Clayton & myself were his guests. We picked up Ella at the College gate, & so returned to the Castle.

The undertaker's bill exceeds £60., which with the fees paid at Birchington will make at least £75. for the funeral. A letter from Kate acknowledged receipt of £36. viz: £10 from Carissima: £10. from Arthur: £10. from me: £6. i.e. 2 months wages from Ella. I sent both the bill and the letter to Arthur.

The weather continues to be uncertain, by turns warm and chilly. Wet and dry – a comfortless & disconcerting state of affairs.

[136]

I wrote to Loney offering him the living of Westgate, vacated by Greenway's acceptance of Eldon. Also, I wrote to Rainbow, offering him the living of Shotton, vacated by Fenton's resignation. Also, I wrote to Knowlden, asking him to give the addresses to the candidates, & to preach at the Ordination in October.

Mrs Murray of Murraythwaite arrived in her car to stay over the week–end.

Some new books arrived from the bookseller:–

1. The Waning of the Middle Ages, A study of the forms of Life, Thought, and Art in France & the Netherlands in the XIVth and XVth centuries, by J. Huizinga.

2. Freemasonry: its aims and ideals, by J.S.M. Ward.

3. Savage Life in Central Australia by G. Horne and G. Aiston.

4. Studies in Pharisaism and the Gospels by J. Abrahams, 2nd Series.

5. The Idea of the Holy, an inquiry into the non–rational factor in the idea of the Divine and its relation to the rational, by Rudolph Otto, translated by J. W. Harvey.

6. Ethics and some Modern World Problems by William McDougall, F.R.S.

7. The Decalogue, being the Warburton Lectures by R. H. Charles D.D.

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