The Henson Journals

[32]

Saturday, June 21st, 1919.

The paper announces two ecclesiastical appointment of considerable interest – Burge is translated from Southwark to Oxford: and Temple becomes Canon of Westminster. I wrote to congratulate both.

Knight writes: "There are plain signs of fright on the part of the promoters of the Enabling Bill. I had a long talk with Dibdin yesterday afternoon, & he told me at length the purpose of his interview with Lord Haldane, which is to take place tomorrow. Dibdin seemed anxious that I shd indicate what is in the minds of those who want to get the Bill, but with clear limitations to the power of the Assembly."

Then I had an interview with Mrs ––– [sic] from Leominister, who poured out a woeful list of accusations against the Vicar. I said that it was impossible for me to pay attention to charges made in secresy, [sic] & without evidence, but that if the churchwardens appealed to me with specific allegations which they cd substantiate, I would take such action as the law permits. The whole situation in that unhappy parish is most distressing. Yet I judge the Vicar to be rather weak than wicked, & I suspect he is hard–driven by debt. The want of money, as well as the love of it, is a root of all kinds of evil.

[33] [symbol]

We left Hereford at 12.42 p.m. and travelled easily to Paddington. The papers think it good "copy" to print some absurd declamations of old Webb–Peploe. He announces that he is convinced that the end of the world will come in 1920, basing his conviction on Biblical and Scientific reasonings of the most elaborate kind! There will doubtless be sufficient noodles in England to keep that ball rolling!

We were entertained at the Deanery, Westminster. There came to dinner Lord Muir Mackenzie, Miss Mundella, Lady Burgclere [sic], George Macmillan & his wife, and Ralph. It was a pleasant & congruous party save that, on the inevitable subject of the Enabling Bill, we were skating on thin ice, for both the Dean and Mrs Ryle are deeply committed to that unhappy measure. However, we succeeded in steering clear of it.

I consulted the Dean about the case of Treherne. He thought that probably I had done what was right. Lady Burghclere is an interesting & intelligent person. It is not without a certain suggestiveness that all the men of the party saving the host were opposed to the Enabling Bill. And all the four were different, & represented distinct sections of public opinion. Muir Mackenzie, & George Macmillan, Ralph & I cover between us a good extent of ground.

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