The Henson Journals

[48] [sic]

Wednesday, July 21st, 1926.

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Canon Bowlby came to see me. He is staying with Hugh Stobart, an old pupil of his: and he had come over to Escombe where he possesses a farm. I did not realize that he had resigned the Headmastership of Lancing, and is now a residentiary canon of Chichester. I showed him the Chapel & Stateroom.

Mr Francis brought two lads, Ronald & Gordon, aged 18 and 17 respectively, to be confirmed. After the service they had tea, and then returned to Middleton.

Caröe looked in on me. He is on one of his lightning tours in these parts, and had a few minute between trains.

I picked up the old miner, who frequents the Park, & took him round the bowling green. He disclosed an appreciation of the trees & flowers, which surprised & impressed me. Incidentally, he said that he had never been inside the Chapel. I suggested that we should have a walk around the Castle. So I spent most part of an hour in showing the old fellow over the place. He was greatly impressed, & I think, appreciated my concern for him. But what can he make of it all? On the one hand, the idle and embittered miners full of Cook's rhetoric: on the other, the bizarre & unintelligible splendours of the Bishop of Durham's house! I would give much to know the old fellow's real mind on the contrast!

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