The Henson Journals

[71]

Saturday, June 6th, 1925.

I thought it would be worth while to make an odd experiment. Remembering how surprisingly fond of music the lion at Edinburgh was, I determined to try whether this was the case with all animals of the same kind. I accordingly went to the Tower with one who plays on the German flute. He began playing near four or five lions; only one of these (the rest not seeming to regard it at all) rose up, came to the front of his den, & seemed to be all attention. Mean–time, a tiger in the same den started up, leaped over the lion's back, turned and ran under his belly, leaped over him again, & so to fro incessantly. Can we account for this on any principle of mechanism? Can we account for it at all?

John Wesley. Journal. Jan 31st 1765

Wesley experimenting with music on lions is a more attractive and intelligible figure than Wesley experimenting with hell–fire on small children. The most unattractive entries in his famous 'Journal' are those which narrate his handling of childhood: and, perhaps, it is largely owing to his influence, that Dissenters (for, in spite of his efforts, his followers fell into that description) have no aptitude for understanding children.

[72]

I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Chapel at 8.15 a.m. Then I prepared a "charge" for the candidates.

The men whom I have myself ordained are already, though I have not yet completed 5 years of episcopate in this diocese, coming into the line of preferment. Gomes–Williams is to go to Holy Trinity, Gateshead: and Cecil Booth is to undertake the new district of Cleadon. I think I shall offer Annfield Plain to Dick. It is interesting to note that these three men have all got degrees from Oxford and Cambridge.

Then I wrote a brief answer to a letter I received from the preposterous curate, Jobb, who went to Rome two years ago, and after a brief sojourn under the Scarlet Woman's petticoat, came back to the Church of England, & is now an assistant curate in Middlesbrough.

I spent an hour in the Park chatting with whom I found there. Picking up two pit–lads – Matthew Fairless & John Hilton – I showed them the garden, & (as they were obviously interested) the Castle also.

I motored in to Durham, & witnessed the oaths etc in the Chapter–House. Then I dined in the Common Room. Then I delivered my charge to the Candidates in the Deanery Chapel after which I returned to Auckland.

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