The Henson Journals

[548]

Wednesday, June 21st, 1916.

688th day

The Prime Minister has made no delay in filling up the vacant appointments, and, though neither appointment is sensational, both may be considered excellent. Woods, the Vicar of Bradford, goes to Peterborough as Bishop: and Gamble of Holy Trinity, Chelsea, goes to Westminster, as successor to Wilberforce in the Canonry & Rectory of St John's. The Archdeacon tells me that he had speech with the Bishop–elect last night, and was told by him that the outgoing Bishop will take £1500 per annum as a pension. This appears incredible, and is certainly scandalous. Anyway, if any such deduction had to be made from the official income, it would have been impossible for a poor man to hold it. Happily Wood [Woods] is credited with considerable private means.

While showing Mr Fry round the Cathedral before lunch, I fell in with a lad, who said that he was up for examination for a scholarship. I asked him to tea, & promised to shew him also the church. He kept tryst, and I learned that his name was Noel Forge: that he would be 18 in December: that he was now at Bedford School: that his father was the Rev: John Francis Forge, Vicar of Walmley, near Birmingham: that he was the eldest of 3 children: that he hoped presently to be a clergyman. We went round the Cathedral, and I formed a favourable opinion of the youth. I am growing almost superstitious about making acquaintanceships. It is a leap in the dark, a net cast into the deep, a bow drawn at a venture. You never know what fates are hanging on a chance encounter. Nor can you surmise the impression you are making on the sensitive plate of a young man's mind.

[546]

The post brought me a letter from Olive, who is staying at the Llandrindod Wells: and also one from the Australian 'Reg Naughton', who heads his epistle "Somewhere in France". Both these letters I answered after dinner.

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