The Henson Journals

[200]

Friday, July 22nd, 1927.

The newspapers report Cardinal Bourne's visit to Furness Abbey yesterday very modestly, and give more prominence to the Archbishop of York's visit to Goodmanham. With inevitably mingled feelings I read that the Papists had to put up with a downpour of rain during their historico–religious functions, which, perhaps are as little serviceable to historical study as to religious life. To the local zealots, of course, they mainly appeal as methods of 'raising the wind'!

The Revd Ernest Augustus Merryweather, a giant of a stout man with a more good–humoured countenance than I had been led to expect, came to see me about the assistant curacy of Brandon, and, after some conversation, I decided to allow him to work there with my permission.

I motored to Barnard Castle, & presided over a meeting of the Governors, then I spent an hour in the Bowes Museum. After this I went to Raby Castle where Lord Barnard was entertaining a party of 56 lads, who are starting for Australia. The mayors of Durham, Jarrow, & Gateshead were there, & divers others of both sexes. Every boy received a Bible and a knife. I made an address to them, was photographed, & returned to Auckland.

---