The Henson Journals

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Thursday, July 19th, 1917.

1081st day

Sir Almroth Wright is a large, loosely–framed man, with light hair, bushy eye–brows, an aggressive manner, & spectacles. He cultivates a brusque almost brutal manner of speaking, & perhaps he designed to shock any clerical conventions that I retained! He sketched his theory of morals which appeared to be purely physiological. He described his discussions with the French scientists & politicians, who are much exercised on the subject of the birth–rate. They appear to take a very debased view of sexual relations. Woman is altogether regarded in this philosophy as the servant of man's gratification.

I began the day by receiving the Holy Communion in the Cathedral. Ralph celebrated. He speaks clearly but in a monotone, and very rapidly. The service with 8 communicants was over in less than 25 minutes. After breakfast I walked to the Athenaeum, and there fell in with George Macmillan. He says that Mrs Pankhurst & her crew drove the Government into conceding Female Suffrage, by threatening strikes etc. among the munition workers. So much for women's patriotism! I wrote to Olive, from whom the morning's post had brought an affectionate letter, & to Colonel Gaisford, who has a command in France. Then I walked to Westminster, & lunched with Pearce & his sister. He had just come from Lambeth, where he had been discussing army business with the Archbishop. His Grace said that Burge had the acutest head on the Bench: that his was a "most valuable life": that it might be worth thinking over whether he shd not go to Hereford. From all this, the sapient Ernest concluded that the Archbishop regards Burge as likely to succeed him. As we were leaving Dean's Yard, we encountered the Archbishop & Mrs Davidson. The latter said that she had been at Temple's meeting, & would have joined me in opposing the motion if she had not been the Archbishop's wife! His Grace gave me to understand that he had been snubbing Temple & Sheppard.

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On my way back to S. Paul's Deanery I looked in again at the Club, and fell in with Lang, who is about to visit the Army in France. He expressed agreement with me in the matter of Temple's movement, but we shall not go far together! I exchanged a few words with Bishop Browne, & Holland. Then I walked down the Embankment, perspiring profusely. We left the Deanery of S. Paul's in good time to catch the express from Holborn Viaduct to Birchington. Kitty & Linetta saw us off with much display of affection. We travelled easily & without change. Marion was on the platform to meet us. Carissima looks very well in spite of worries & the alarms of life on the southern coast.

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Issues and controversies: female suffrage