The Henson Journals

[9]

Tuesday, December 3rd, 1918.

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A languidly warm day. I started to work at a letter to the diocese on the subject of Church Reforms, but I made little headway. After lunch Ella and I motored to Castle Frome, where the Rector (Revd W. P. P. Matthews) met me with the plans &c of a new painted window which some parishioners propose to set up as a war–memorial to a young officer who has fallen in the War.The little church contains a wonderful early Norman Font, and some recumbent effigies in marble: also an Elizabethan cup & chalice, the latter dated 1571. Mr Matthews is a relation of the Rolfes, & had seen my photograph in their possession. We returned to Hereford by way of Ledbury. A telegram from L. Percival informed me that the old bishop, my predecessor, had passed away.He had been a prominent man in his day, a strong partisan, but it may perhaps be the case, though I have hitherto ever refused to admit it, that only in the grooves of party can any real effect be secured. Bishop Percival was a Radical partisan, & made no attempt to conceal the fact. His position as a member of the House of Lords gave him opportunities of influence which I do not possess, & he was a comparatively rich man, whereas I am an extremely poor one.

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