The Henson Journals

[181]

Friday, August 14th, 1925.

I corrected, and despatched the second batch of proofs. This, and the correspondence occupied the whole morning. After lunch I walked round the Park with Fawkes. He is very indignant with the E.C.U. for their unmannerly attack on Barnes. The more I reflect on the Archbishop's letter to Lord Shaftesbury, the more deplorable I think it. He tacitly concedes their impudent claim to be the guardians of the faith. Jimmie came to play tennis, and afterwards had some talk with me. He seems to have settled his mind to preparing for Ordination.

Mrs Pember wrote to ask me to officiate at Katherine's wedding in Oxford at the end of September, reminding me that I had done as much 30 years ago when she & Frank were married. How well I recall the scene! We were all younger then, & the world had a brighter aspect.

I sent £5 to the miner who wrote to me a few days ago, & sent me his pay–sheets to demonstrate his poverty. Jackson, the Rector of Chester–le–Street, answering my inquiry, wrote to say that he was an honest man, & desperately poor. So I allowed myself the indiscretion of sending him a present. What can be the future of this great multitude of miners, gathered about pits which can never be worked profitably in the actual conditions which now obtain? It is a terrible question.

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