The Henson Journals

[187]

Monday, August 17th, 1925.

[symbol]

The week–end oratory is not re–assuring. Cook calls loudly for Revolution, & suggests that Joshua Sankey has been persecuted by the classes for his sympathy with the miners. Thomas condemns the subsidy, but proclaims his belief in 'nationalisation' as the only way. Dobbie predicts a fierce struggle on the Railways! It is sufficiently evident that the surrender of the government was as surprising to its enemies as it was dismaying to its friends.

I wrote to Barnes sending him a copy of my letter to the Abp. The final batch of proofs arrived, were corrected, & dispatched. Brooke Westcott played bowls with me, but I was half–crippled with lumbago, which my efforts at playing made worse. Then J. G. Wilson came to see me about various matters of business, of which the most important was the providing of a successor to himself. He told me that he had passed his 77th birthday, so that, although he is wonderful for his years, the repulsive contingency of his retirement must be faced. He readily agreed with my suggestion that Cecil Ferens should be sounded as to his willingness to undertake the work, & promised himself to broach the matter to him. I authorized him to fill in the date of Talbot's resignation, & to inform both Talbot & the Prime Minister's secretary. This will probably come as an unwelcome surprise to Talbot himself, but I cannot keep Annfield Plain permanently vacant.

---