The Henson Journals

[218]

Tuesday, October 26th, 1926.

I wrote to William for his Birthday. He is just as old as the century: and is, therefore, well into the best decade of a man's life. It is now more than two years since he went to Johannesburg, and our fortnightly letters have been steadily maintained. He was well–advised to leave this country, where neither employment nor liberty can any longer be counted upon by a working–man. Lord Sumner spoke almost despairingly about the situation last night. "I am thankful", he said, "that I am 67. If I were 47, I would not remain in England. I should seek another country, where a man could be free, and possess his own property." He thinks that the deficit next year will be so great that no additional taxation can bridge it. The Super–tax will, he said, be raised because those tax–payers have no friends: but he doubts whether, in the present state of industry, the Government will venture to add another shilling to the income tax.

We worked all morning at "re–revision", and then were free in the afternoon, resuming at 5 p.m. I went to the hair–dresser, and then to Hugh Rees, where I ordered some books, including a sea[?]–story for James, which I directed to be sent to him direct. [I went to the hatter in S. James's Street, & ordered a hat. Then I returned to the Club, & read Asquith's book. At 5 p.m. we resumed our work at Lambeth, and continued at it until 7 p.m. There came to dinner Mr & Mrs Bentinck. He is our minister in Abyssinia, & she was a Miss Buxton. I sate beside her at dinner, & found her very pleasant.]

The Bishops have another foolish letter in the Times, supporting the miners.

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