The Henson Journals

[188]

Saturday, November 12th, 1927.

[symbol]

Hadow writes very kindly about the 'Open Letter':–

"It is far the best statement of the case that I have yet read: indeed, I do not see that there is any room for an answer. Let me say also what a pleasure it is to read English prose on the great lines. You and Inge are two people to whom I look for this and you never disappoint me."

He proceeds to urge me to publish the Letter as a sixpenny pamphlet: and I am half–disposed to do so, though it will certainly cost me some money.

I spent the morning in writing some necessary letters, and in clearing up my room. After lunch Lionel & I motored to Newcastle where I took the 3.39 p.m. train for Edinburgh. I arrived about 6.30 p.m., and found a very comfortable room in the Hotel reserved for my use. The Robert Louis Stevenson Club mustered to the annual dinner in considerable numbers. The Chairman was Lord Elphinstone. I took occasion to ask him whether he would vote for the Revised Prayer Book, & he replied that such was his intention. My speech took 35 minutes to deliver, & seemed to give much satisfaction. I was interested to meet Miss Rosaline Masson, & Miss Christie Orr, two novelists.

[189] [symbol]

Lord Sands spoke to me in a very friendly fashion. A Mr Guthrie, the son of Lord Guthrie, introduced himself to me, & presented his son, a modest youth. Also a Mr Balfour who is a connexion of R.L.S. I asked what had happened to Vailima, & he said that the house was still kept up.

The vote of thanks to me was proposed by a man, whose name was the Revd T. Ratcliffe Barnett. Ph.D. He said that his first acquaintance with me was in London when as a student he attended S. Margaret's, and was attracted to me as a man of an adventurous mind, who shrank from no facts etc. It was a curious experience to hear oneself so described by a middle–aged man who had all the appearance of sincerity.

Miss Christie Orr is a striking figure, tall, dark, with regular features, & hauntingly beautiful. She reminded me of the elder of the two sisters in "The Pirate." I allowed myself to speak to her as we were dispersing, & she expressed a touching gratitude for my observations about fiction & its influence in modern democracies. Her father, Mr Sheriff Orr, was also dining – a large, dignified man, on the lines of municipal greatness. The other novelist Miss Rosalie [sic] Masson, also pleased me. She has a sense of humour, & professes herself an Episcopalian.

[190]

I asked Miss Masson to tell me what manner of man Stevenson's step–son, Lloyd Osbourne actually was: and she replied by a gesture of aversion. "I would not deal with him personally. He got £500 out of me when I published my book, & that doesn't predispose me in his favour. But he is an insufferable person.' It is the fact that, for some unintelligible reason, I had formed a very hostile judgement on the gentleman from reading his papers on Stevenson, and the notices of him in Balfour's life; &, therefore, I did not resent this confirmation of my opinion.

There is certainly an unusual intensity of municipal patriotism in the citizens of Edinburgh. Sir George Douglas was almost rhapsodical in his language, when he proposed the toast of "The City of Edinburgh:' and the Lord provost, a clownish little vulgar gesticulating man, who however seemed to be very popular with the company, exceeded in expressions of civic pride. I contrasted the lethargic cosmopolitanism of London, and reflected on the disadvantages which attach to enormous size and imperial character. Who could be proud of being a Londoner?