The Henson Journals

[222]

Saturday July 27th, 1929.

Today I enter on 'the tenth year of our translation', and I mark it by writing a letter to the 'Spectator' in answer to one from Mr. Boys–Smith, who appears to 'take himself very seriously'. It is many years since I addressed a letter to the Spectator, and I doubt whether its circulation is now sufficiently considerable to make it worth while to choose its columns for anything. But I thought it is helpful to clear my mind for a more elaborate criticism of Boys–Smith which I have undertaken to contribute to the "Nineteenth Century & After' in September.

I sent £5 to that very foolish creature, Pestle, who owes a considerable sum to a local painter. The man who writes to me, & Pestle's plea is that he employed him out of charity! I have a horror of these altruistic fervours which, in their range over suffering humanity, disdain the humble obligations of paying one's debts, &c!.

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