The Henson Journals

[85]

Saturday, September 22nd, 1928.

Funeral of the Earl of Durham

Dr McCullagh and Lionel accompanied me to Burnmoor in order to attend Lord Durham's funeral. There was a great concourse of people in and out of the parish church. I read the lesson, and took the prayers at the graveside. Before leaving the grave I shook hands with the new Earl & his brothers. I noticed Lord Lascelles, Earl Grey, & many county notables in the congregation. At the end of the service a military salute was fired, & the reveillé was blown on the cornet. Coincidentally with the burial a service was held in Durham Cathedral, to which Ella went with our guests. It appears to have been numerously attended. Lord Durham once said to me that he feared that he would be last 'Lambton of Lambton', since his nephew (the new Earl's son) would not consent to live there. He expressed sorrow at the prospect, & no doubt sincerely, for he had a keen consciousness of his ancestral greatness in the County. If Lambton Castle is to be added to the long list of deserted mansions (which already includes Brancepeth & Ravensworth) another blow will have been given to this woeful county, & another aid to Communism will have been given.

[86]

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Kenneth came to lunch, and afterwards walked with me in the Park for an hour. We discussed the possibility of his taking Holy Orders. He is, I think, inclined to do so, but shrinks from committing himself. I am reluctant to bring even an indirect pressure to bear on him, & yet I cannot exempt myself from the duty of making him consider that career. He is, of course, very young, & he knows little of the world, & less of himself, but he is candid & modest. He seems also religious. I did not conceal from the doubtful prospects (from a worldly point of view) which now belong to Ordination.

(On the tall spire of N___h a sparrow was sitting.

"Alack, I am lonely", the poor bird cried:

But a hen–bird had heard him and swiftly [a friendly hen near his perch] came flitting

He sighed, & he fluttered, & was not denied.)

The Dean of Hereford & Mrs. Waterfield arrived to spend the week–end with us. I wrote to William. Our dinner party numbered 12, including Lady Eden, & an agreeable barrister friend of hers named Berry.

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