The Henson Journals
Sun 18 February 1906 to Sat 24 February 1906
Volume 16, Pages 27 to 28
[27]
Sexagesima, February 18th, 1906.
A dull and menacing sky, from which the rain began to fall, promising vacancy & depression. At 8 a.m. I went to S. Margaret's and celebrated the Holy Communion. There were 37 commts. It was good to look again on the East Window.
The rain fell at intervals all day long: and the congregation at Mattins was not as large as I had hoped. However the Speaker was in his pew: and the Parliamentary Seats were filled, presumably by Members & their wives. I recognized Mr Lough, Mr Craig, & Mr Dixon–Hartland: but the familiar faces had all disappeared. I preached a 'political Sermon' from Zeph. I. 12 & Heb. XI. 27.
Sir Ed. & Lady Russell came to lunch.
In the afternoon there was a Memorial Service for the late King of Denmark instead of the usual sermon. In S. Margaret's we contented ourselves with playing Chopin's Marche Funebre after Mattins, & the Dead March in Saul after Evensong.
At Evensong, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Dr Milne, was present. He came in to supper afterwards. Geordie & Ethel were also here.
[28]
Convocation met on Tuesday, Feb. 20th 1906. I attended, & moved the adjournment of the debate on the Educational issue, thus leaving myself in possession of the House. On Wednesday, Feb. 21st, I made a speech, 40 minutes long, which was well received by the House. There was even a sprinkling of people in the galleries, including Beeching and my wife.
In the evening I attended a reception at the Deanery to meet the Members of the British Academy. I had some talk with Hodgkin, Maund Thompson, Vinogradoff, Fairbairn, Raleigh, & Ker.
On Friday afternoon I went to Oxford for the Bursar's Dinner. Wood & Gwyer travelled down with me. It was a pleasant enough party. On Saturday, I returned to town travelling alone with Curzon. We had an intimate & profoundly interesting conversation, in the course of which I strongly urged him to go into the House of Lords. It is clear to me that he feels deeply the ill–treatment he has received from his political friends: & hungers to be again on the floor of the House of Commons to have it out with them.