The Henson Journals

[160]

Saturday, March 15th, 1930.

Be not the first by whom the new are tried,

Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.

Pope. 'Essay on Criticism.'

There is a half cynical wisdom in these lines which my observation of my contemporaries recognizes as underlying much of the policy of our leaders.

A young man named Eddon, the son of the Vicar of Craghead, and employed as a school–teacher in Tynedock, came to see me. He desires to be accepted as a candidate for Holy Orders, but he knows neither Latin nor Greek, and looks a very dull specimen indeed. I asked him what he had read, & he replied, "Rudyard Kipling"! And really, I think he has read nothing beyond a little fiction.

I motored to Newcastle, & went for the week end to Benwell Tower to stay with the Bishop. But I felt very unwell: & after dinner, of which I could eat little, I had to go to bed. I was very sick, & passed a poor night. The prospect of preaching in the Cathedral tomorrow began to take an unwelcome aspect. It is annoying but unavoidable.

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