The Henson Journals

[61]

Friday, May 29th, 1925.

A wet blustering day and very chilly throughout! I wasted the day in composing a letter to the Times in support of Lord Durham's Appeal for the Castle. This I accompanied by a private letter to Dawson. Also, I wrote to Sir Lewis Dibden asking him to use his influence with the Commissioners to get a grant for the Castle Fund. I went in to Durham, and attended Evensong in the cathedral. After the service had ended I led the procession to the top of the central Tower, and listened to the three anthems, which, according to custom, are sung there on this day. I gave the precentor a pound for the choirboys. Then I had tea with the Bishop of Jarrow, and discussed with him many matters of diocesan business. Scarcely had I returned to Auckland before Jimmie appeared. He looks very thin and over–wrought. I gave him "John Inglesant" as a Birthday present. Alexander reports that William has obtained a good situation, and that he must look out for another butler's boy. This, of course, is well enough. Nevertheless, I dislike changes in the household: & William had commended himself to me, so that I shall regret his departure.