The Henson Journals

[65]

Wednesday, February 11th, 1931.

A most unpleasant day, wet and stormy. I went in to Durham, and presided at a meeting of the Board of Finance. Carlis presented the Balance Sheet for the year, which did actually show a small balance. But this happy fact must be discounted by the receipt of two "extraordinary" donations viz. £250 from the Lightfoot Trust; and £100 from myself.

Charles and I motored to Darlington, where I admitted the Revd L.A. Hoare to the perpetual curacy of St Hilda's. There was a good congregation, but a very sparse attendance of the clergy. In my address, I emphasized the value & obligation of house–to–house visitation, and made some severe observations on parsons' motors. Hoare is a good–looking parson, & seems to promise well. If he avoids "Anglo–Catholick" extravagances, he will do well enough.

I finished reading a rather gross & very absurd book, written in the interest of feminism – "Salome, the Wandering Jewess by George Sylvester Viereck, and Paul Eldridge". It is soaked, saturated, & sodden with Sex, and leads up to a conclusion of sheer Fiasco. It gives one furiously to think that such mad dreamers should have prevailed, & it promises grave calamities as the effects of their victory are disclosed.

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