The Henson Journals

[12]

Wednesday, May 1st, 1918.

1367th day

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Another day spent, and ill–spent, in Convocation! The morning was filled with tiresome talk about the marriages of colonial soldiers to English girls, and with the completion of the debate on the Bishop of Peterborough's resolution. I sate through most of it, but was absent at the end, when the Bishop of Chelmsford "went for" me. After lunching with Pearce, I returned to the Convocation House, where in the course of the afternoon I came into sharp collision with the Bishop of Oxford.

It happened on this wise. The aforesaid Bishop moved a resolution asking the Abp. to appoint a Committee to consider a reform of the method of appointing bishops. He disclaimed any reference to my appointment to Hereford. But this seemed to me a gratuitous piece of hypocrisy: and I replied in a fierce speech. I spoke with brutal frankness about the recent agitation, & let their Lordships know the mingled scorn and resentment which had been moved in me. It was probably a foolish proceeding on my part.

Gore carried his motion by 13 votes to 6. The last were: Exeter, Bristol, Chelmsford, LLandaff, St David's, & Hereford.

After the meeting, I walked to the Temple, & had an interview with my Chancellor, Mr Ernest Charles, at his chambers, 2 Mitre Court Buildings. He seems an amiable & intelligent person. I asked him about the legal aspect of the sale of the music by the Hereford Chapter: & he said that it was illegal. Then I walked back to the Athenaeum, & there dined. I wrote letters after dinner.

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