The Henson Journals

[146]

Wednesday, February 27th, 1929.

Bitter cold, and snow falling at intervals. The morning was occupied in writing letters, among them one to Kenneth discussing "ways & means", a subject which the youth hardly remembers sufficiently. In the afternoon Lionel & I motored to Egglescliffe where I confirmed 44 persons in the parish church.

N.B. S. Mary the Virgin is the dedication, not as was long maintained, S. John the Baptist. There is much woodwork in pulpit, screen, choir–stalls & pews belonging to the period of the Restoration, when Isaac Basire was Rector. There are also two chained books – Jewel's Apology & Eikon Basilike. In the porch (Norman) are some Anglo–Celtic fragments.

After tea & repose at Egglescliffe we went to Holy Trinity, Stockton, where I confirmed 105 persons. Then we returned to Auckland Castle, where we found that Major Fraser & his wife had arrived. They both seemed extremely well–pleased with themselves, which is no doubt a proper state of mind for persons on their honeymoon. They sail for the East in a fortnight. Their married life will begin at Mandalay, where Major Frazer has received an appointment. I gathered that his work would mostly consist of training troops; and that there would be some English society – officers and their wives – to provide Kathleen with interests.

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