The Henson Journals

[198]

Saturday, March 16th, 1918.

1321st day

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Old Prebendary Palmer came to see me with reference to St Martin's Home for Penitents. The holy women in charge want to wear Vestments. I said that, as they were not parish clergy, & their specific work was such that they had a fair claim to be granted indulgence, I should not think it necessary to interfere. I travelled to Craven Arms, & was there met by Lord Powis's car, and driven to Clum, where Mr Machem the Vicar, joined me, & carried me to a cottage where I confirmed an old man of 80 in his bed. After tea at the Vicarage, I looked at the Parish Church of St George, which is on a considerable scale, very massive & gloomy. I motored to Lydbury North, & there confirmed in his cottage another old man of 82. Then I went to Walcot, where I was hospitably entertained by the Earl & Countess of Powis. This house was builded [sic] by the great Lord Clive, whose portrait adorns the drawing room. Many Indian objects are distributed over the rooms. Lord Powis is rather a weak–looking man, amiable & well–mannered, evidently proud of his family & properties. His heir was killed in France, & the younger son, Mervyn, a boy of 13, is preparing for Eton. A daughter in the "flapper" stage appeared, & a heavy young man, Mervyn's tutor. Lady Powis said that she had been present in the Chapel Royal last Sunday, & had approved my sermon! Lord Powis has extensive patronage in this part of my diocese, & he relieves himself from trouble in making appointments by handing the task of finding suitable clergymen to his relative, Bishop Gore!

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