The Henson Journals

[30]

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Tuesday, October 21st, 1913. Edinburgh.

I wrote letters most part of the morning, leaving myself no more time for lunch than was sufficient for a brief glimpse of Princes Street, which looked very winning in the bright autumnal sun.

After lunch I attended a meeting of the Scottish Society for reforming the National Morals. The room was full, & the people were plainly in earnest: but as usual I received the impression of pharisaic fatuity, which always seems to shadow movements of social reform. I contributed a rather depressing little speech, which (I may judge from the aspect of the company) was not well liked. Lang, a brother of the Abp. of York, read a sensible paper, the effect of which was greatly impaired by the pompous method of the reader.

The public meeting in the U.F. Assembly Hall was fairly attended, but the proportion of the ministers & women seemed to me excessive. Lord Salveson presided. The first speaker was Bucklandm who descanted on the evils of the press rather wearisomely. Then came Mrs McKirdy, the author of "The Soul Market", who spoke shortly after the manner of women. She was followed by Dr Saleeby, who took for his theme what he called "race poisons". He spoke for about half an hour very lucidly and effectively. When he sate down, I was called upon, and [31] delivered myself of a foolish screed on "The Problem of Leisure". I had prepared somewhat ample notes, which saved my oration from complete incoherency, but on no possible shewing could it be looked upon as a great performance. However it was well listened to, &, when I sate down, there was considerable applause.

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