The Henson Journals

[173]

Thursday, March 21st, 1929.

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A wet day, and much warmer.

Lionel and I motored to Barnard Castle, where I confirmed 19 boys in the Chapel of B.C. School. This is the smallest number yet presented at the annual confirmation; it is an indication of the continued decline of the School. We returned to Auckland, and then motored to Escomb where I confirmed 50 persons from the parishes of Escomb, Witton Park, Etherley, with a combined population of about 6000 souls. The service was more seemly and reverend than I had expected.

The death of Marshal Foch is reported, the papers overflow with obituaries and eulogies. This melancholy intelligence divides attention with the reports of Prince Olaf's marriage to the Swedish Princess, Martha, at Oslo.

The Chronicle Protestant Episcopal which declares itself on its title–page to be "progressive–liberal" arrived from America. Its "London Correspondent" would appear to have a mean opinion of the Bishop of Durham, who, he thinks "finds himself with few friends". It is good enough to lament the fact: "And this is a great pity for he is a good straight man with a first class mind". This paper has been very fierce against the Revised Prayer Book.

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