The Henson Journals

[25]

Wednesday, October 31st, 1917.

1185th day

Last night in the evening paper there was a paragraph extracted from the "Daily Chronicle", saying that my name was being talked of for the vacant bishoprick! This morning the Newcastle paper prints a longer paragraph from the "London correspondent" of the "Glasgow Herald" to the same effect. This is abominably annoying from every point of view, & my unfriends could not do me more effectual injury than to put about such statements. I wrote to Pearce about the R.C.C. asking whether he wd second my amendment, & taking occasion to tell him frankly that if, Bristol were offered to me , I must needs decline it, as being too ill–endowed for me to hold. Hadow went off after breakfast. I attended Mattins and Evensong. In the afternoon I travelled to South Shields, & there made a speech to the "Public Health Society" & others in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Blgs. on "Housing as the first step in Social Reconstruction". Mr Cochrane, the local M.P. presided, & was supported by the Mayors of Tynemouth and South Shields. There was, I should judge, a good attendance. I observed with some interest & concern that an artisan who addressed the meeting after I had concluded, made allusion to what he alleged be ill–conditions in some pits owned by the Dean & Chapter. But we own no pits at all. Mrs Cochrane & I returned by the same train as far as Gateshead, when she went to Newcastle, & I to Durham. The view of the Cathedral & Castle in the brilliant moonlight was ravishingly beautiful.

[26]

To A. C. Benson Esq

Nov. 1st 1917

Dear Mr Benson,

It is felt by some of us that, in present circumstances, much good wd be done if a letter were sent to the "Times" & other papers, signed by some representative laymen & clergy, setting out in calm terms the value & meaning of the National Church as we in England have received it from the past, & pleading for some larger & more sympathetic handling of the "reconstruction", if that is to be undertaken, than is indicated by the Report of Lord Selborne's Ctee & by the programme of the so–called "Life & Liberty" movement.

The Bishop of Manchester, Lord Portsmouth, Principal Hadow, & some others whom I was able to consult were agreed with me in thinking that no one cd better draft, or more fitly be asked to draft such a letter, than yourself. I am writing, therefore, to ask whether you can see you way to do this, & generally for your opinion on the matter.

Believe me, Sincerely yrs,

H. Hensley Henson.

P.S. In case you may not have seen it, I take leave to send you a copy of the Bishop of Manchester's careful & suggestive examination of the recommendations of Lord Selborne's Report.

---