The Henson Journals

[55]

Monday, November 26th, 1917.

1211th day

Draper & I motored into Leeds, & parted on the way, he to a lecture–room, I to the station. The journey to London was uneventful enough. I beguiled the way by reading the very curious account which Edward Fairfax, the poet, gives of the witch–activities (as he believed) in his family in 1631. The good man got a Grand Jury of his neighbours to return a true Bill against 6 accused women, but failed to get a conviction at the assizes to his supreme disgust. On arriving at King's Cross I found it hopeless to get either a taxi or a cab: so I travelled by underground to Westminster carrying my own bag.

In the evening a telegram from Moulsdale arrived, but too late for immediate answer, in these terms:–

We understood Pemberton willing accept Vice–Chancellorship. At last moment he is unwilling. Informal meeting staff asks whether waiting for his reconsideration you will allow your name to be proposed Senate tomorrow. please telegraph.

I drafted the following reply for despatch tomorrow: –

Am willing to be nominated if Pemberton declines nomination but not otherwise.

The circumstance that this proposition should be made to me through Moulsdale does not please me, nor does the proposition itself. On the other hand, it is not very easy to make out a case for declining nomination, if there really be some difficulty about finding a Durham Vice–Chancellor.

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