The Henson Journals

[48]

Tuesday, 3rd January, 1928.

That very quaint person, Mr Chesney, whom I have not seen for 30 years, writes to me characteristically recalling the time when he was a choirboy in S. Margaret's, Westminster:–

"It seems so long ago since your last annual party for us boys. Always shall I remember Fatty Reynolds stuffing himself with chocolates, and myself refusing to take off my shoes for the Cockfighting, owning to my socks possessing more darns than the original wool."

Memories are odd things, and a small boy's memories the oddest of all. He was a very queer, naughty boy, but I never suspected that the reason why he stuck to his boots was to hide the darns!

Mrs Fred Gray writes to introduce herself as the wife of Fred Gray, who was a choir–boy at Barking when I was Vicar 1888–1895. She was living in Barking then. She refers with extraordinary affection to those "dear old days". The tenacity of their personal loyalties is a very attractive & impressive quality of humble English folk.

I also received a very pleasantly worded letter from William.

[49]

Mr Arthur Hird, the theological manager of Hodder & Stoughton, came about 4 p.m. and readily agreed in my suggestion that he should stay the night. We had a prolonged talk together, in the course of which he told me a good deal about himself. He was the son of a Lancashire ^artisan^ and was working in a mill when no more than 11 years old. He must have been possessed with uncommon determination and ability, for he was a preacher at 16, a student of theology at 19, and is now quite an important person. He spoke much of the account of the Prime Minister, which he had received from Oliver Baldwin. [He ^(O. B.)^ had never known his father have a friend save only Bonar Law. He never remembered his father ever playing with him ^in his childhood^.] He ^(the P. M.)^ would never quite succeed in anything, & so forth.) This is curiously contrary to the impression which the P. M. makes on me.

We talked much of Dick Sheppard's book. He said that 90,000 copies were printed, & 80,000 had already been sold.

Miss Macdonald, who is to be a Rescue Worker in this parish, stayed here. She looks the last conceivable person for that sort of job, but in these demented days anything is possible, & probably she could abash me by her acquaintance with ^[phrase written in Greek]^!