The Henson Journals

[41]

Tuesday, May 28th, 1918.

1394th day

After breakfast in the club, I fell in with Watkins, from whom I gather that the attempt to get hold of some portion of the decanal revenues is not yet abandoned by the hungry university. Then I wrote letters, & among them one to Fawkes in which I suggested that he shd become my hon: chaplain:

"It is of course a mere compliment, but it indicates a measure both of congruity and of friendship, & serves so far as an index–finger for the guidance of the public. My examining chaplains are all liberals, varying in type & method – Cruickshank, Knight, Major, & Bannister. On the Hereford Chapter are Streeter & Lilley. If I added you as hon. Chaplain, we shd have the nucleus of an organisation which might be useful. Think over this, & let me know your decision".

I wrote to Matthews promising to lecture at 5.30 p.m. on "Anglicanism, Essence & Value" on October 17th, & suggesting Lord Bryce as Chairman.

Also, I wrote to Cecil Ferens, to Marston about drawing Anglicans & Huguenots together, & to Chancellor Lias, about his Book on the Creed, & to Mr S. Pelham about Interchange of Pulpits. I lunched very pleasantly with Buchan & Rait as my table–companions – two excellent Scots. Prothero was in the smoking room. I spoke to him of my fear that Lloyd–George wd be influenced by the Cecil group into conceding some sort of a Crown–patronage Committee. There is just a chance that my words may get round to L.G. himself.

[42]

Rashdall walked with me to Westminster. At the entering of Dean's Yard, we encountered Sir Henry Craik, who at once opened fire on me about my luckless sermon in S. John's, Westminster. He is prodigiously absurd, but I believe the little man has a good heart, & so I spake the "soft answer" of the Proverb to him, & so went on my way to the "Church & State" Committee. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. the Committee talked. Very little progress was made, and everybody was almost suspiciously polite. Lord Selborne & Lord Hugh Cecil gave me the impression of a consciousness that they had not behaved well. Before the session broke up, I gave notice that on the morrow I wd move an amendment designed to preserve Deans sitting ex officio, & to extinguish the proctors of the Chapters. After tea at the Athenaeum, I walked for an hour with Rashdall in the Park, & then returned to the Club, and wrote to Ella. I dined with Oman and Welldon. The last is an arrant humbug, & was only saved from some faithful speaking on the subject by the former's presence. Then I wrote to Linetta suggesting that she shd give me tea one day this week. Finally I wrote up my journal. The news from the Front is not very satisfactory. Evidently the Germans are in great force, and the Allies have to give ground. The latest news is that the enemy is across the Aisne, which is certainly not pleasant to hear. The tone of the communications is grave but firm. Foch is said to have large reserves, & to be ready to use them when he thinks fit, & not when the Germans hope to compel.

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