The Henson Journals

[53]

Saturday, January 7th, 1928.

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I walked in the Park, and there fell in with miner with whom I got into conversation. He was evidently a man of superior intelligence, considerable reading, and a gift of humour. He had read a good deal of history, geography, astronomy, and fiction. His modes of expression were so racy and vigourous,that I would have given much to reproduce them. He said that he had never been into the Castle, so I brought him in & shewed him the Chapel & State–room. His admiration was great, & he uttered it freely. I wonder how many ordinary English gentlemen, bred at a public school & university, would have equalled this poor man in their knowledge & appreciation of the things of the mind.

Bridget Tallento arrived on a short visit.

Sybil, Lady Eden, sent me two volumes of Essays entitled 'Post Mortem, Essays Historical and Medical', and 'Mere Mortals. Medico–Historical Essays 2nd series' by an Australian doctor. C. MacLaurin. I read through the first of these, & found it extremely interesting, but marked by an agnosticism (which might almost be called atheism) which must have an ill effect on its numerous readers.