The Henson Journals

[1]

Wednesday, April 18th, 1928.

The post brought tidings of two deaths of parson's wives viz. Mrs Lillingston & Mrs Hayward. I wrote letters of condolence to both husbands, and also to Mrs Bateman, the widow of my old butler, whose death was announced on Monday. One grave disadvantage of clerical matrimony is the necessity of taking account of the health of two individuals in every parish. The range of possible disturbance extends with the emergence of the family. Lister, Vicar of S. Stephen's, South Shields, writes to ask permission to seek an exchange, because his wife's health is "seriously affected by the strong sea air". He has only been 2 1/2 years in the place. How can any effective pastoral ministry be carried on thus? Heselton, assistant curate of S. Mary's, Gateshead, writes to say that he will accept West Rainton.

I wrote to Fawkes, who had told me that he was not sending me his "Shall we disestablish?" because I shall not like it. He, as is natural in an ex–Papist, is a thorough going Erastian: he exults in the vote of the House of Commons: and regards Bishops with disgust mingled with fear.

After dinner Arthur (perhaps warmed into some semblance of civility by the assurance of our imminent departure) was even amiable, showing us his curios & photographs, & generally expanding. So we traversed the time until we retired to our rooms at 9.40 p.m.