The Henson Journals

[199]

Friday, December 12th, 1930.

Lazenby sends me a friendly note about the Newcastle Address. "Personally, I never enjoyed an address so much in my life, & I don't think I ever laughed so much". Yet. There was nothing particularly humorous in what I said: only it was set off by the portentous dullness of the other speakers.

I spent the morning in writing letters, & making notes. In the afternoon I walked to the Park Gates, where I fell in with Dawson, the farmer, who exclaimed to me the experiments he is making with various chemical fertilisers on segments of the Park. He hoped greatly to improve the eatage.

I motored to Stockton, and distributed prizes to the boys of the Secondary School in the Jubilee Hall. There was a considerable gathering of parents & boys. I spoke for about 40 minutes, & was listened to very attentively. They seemed to be impressed & gratified. There was some Shakespeare performed after the prize–distribution. I came away at 9 p.m. The Headmaster, who has been only a year in his post, accompanied me to the door when I departed, & expressed himself in terms of ardent gratitude. I did not dislike the man, and can well imagine that in his eyes it is not an unimportant circumstance that the Bishop consents to give away his prizes.

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