The Henson Journals

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Thursday, April 19th, 1928.

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A most brilliant morning, though still cold. I packed my bags before descending to breakfast. We left Minehead at 9.25 a.m., and travelled to Darlington by way of Taunton, Bristol, Birmingham, Derby (where we changed) and York. We were met by Leng with the Nash car, & so came home to Auckland Castle.

The Revd I. Barwick, assistant–curate of S. Paul's, Hendon, has had a stroke, and died. I ordained him in 1924. He was one of three artisans, whom I accepted as candidates under special conditions. Another of the three, Crosby, has broken down, & will be 'on the shelf' for an in definite period. This is certainly very discouraging. The loss of their service is bad enough: the bequest of penniless widows and orphans they almost always leave to the diocese, is perhaps worse. The strain of continuing responsibility seems to be greater than they can sustain. They come of an underfed ancestry & have no physical stamina.

The pectoral crow presented to the diocese by Prebendary Clark Maxwell has arrived. I suppose I must wear it sometimes, though my natural task rejects these ornaments as trifling and, in the actual state of English opinion, probably also impolitic.

George Nimmins writes from Port–Said where he has arrived on his homeward journey. He is beside himself with delight at the prospect of being at home again.