The Henson Journals

[127]

Saturday, February 16th, 1929.

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This Arctic spell continues with a waxing list of deaths & casualties, more or less caused by it. The Bishop–suffragan of Lewes (Streatfield) has soon followed his chief, the Bishop of Chichester. He died suddenly in the train.

Knowlden slipped yesterday, & broke a bone. He lies in the Hospital at York.

I wrote to Myers of South Moor offering him the Rural Deanery of Lanchester in succession to Fedden. Briggs of Hunwick writes to accept Consett.

I started to read Mackinnon's Luther & the Reformation, of which 3 substantial vols. have now appeared. It appears to be learned, honest, & dull.

Then I wrote to William.

During the afternoon I walked round the Park: the frozen snow is beautiful but hard on the eyes. Drury & his helpful parishioner Mrs White called & (though Ella was absent in Durham) had tea. He wanted to consult me about the replies he had received to his advertisement for an assistant curate. I definitely refused to sanction his employment of a man who was stated to be in debt. That is the one clerical fault which these northerners will never condone. Drunkenness & whoredom provoke comparatively little censure: are they no the common failings of humanity? But failure to pay one's debts is unpardonable!

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