The Henson Journals

[76]

Monday, February 17th, 1919.

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I wrote a second article for the "Times" calling for a Royal Commission. It did not please me, but I can do no better.If the "Times" publishes these two articles at least an effective opposition to the Selborne Scheme will have been formulated.

I presided over a meeting of "Bible & Prayer–book" examiners. There were four of them – Davies, Lushington, Haseler, & Carlton – and they stayed to lunch. I inquired of them how far their parishioners were interested in the recent election of the House of Laymen; and without exception they replied that their people had no knowledge of any election having taken place! I believe that would be true of all the rural districts, & probably also of the urban districts also. Outside the tiny coteries of ecclesiastical agitators, nobody has the smallest interest in this mighty movement for ecclesiastical autonomy. After these good folk had taken their departure, I sawed wood for an hour: and, later, went through my letters with Wynne–Willson. After dinner I read the "Cambridge Modern History" to Ella. We are picking out the history of Sweden, with a hazy notion that we may perhaps go there in the autumn.

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