The Henson Journals

[143]

Tuesday, August 26th, 1919.

After breakfast I resumed with the Bishop the discussion which we had held overnight. He is evidently reluctant to join in any action which would present him to the public as an ally of the old–fashioned Protestants represented by the Bishops of Manchester & Liverpool. He pressed on me the importance of my not endangering my future leadership by giving the impression of agreement with mere Protestants. He said that he believed himself to be essentially in agreement with me. I gathered that he would not easily be induced to affix his signature to any public declaration.

We lunched at Ravensworth Castle with the Liddells, and then motored to Durham, where we were hospitably received by the Cruickshanks, who had drawn together a considerable company of old friends to meet us. Among these was Colonel Hills, the local member, with whom I had much interesting conversation. He is one of the members who have pledged themselves to support the Enabling Bill, but he did not seem to know much about it, & appeared to be impressed by my criticisms. The Dean and Budworth came to dinner. I learn from the latter that the School now includes more than 200 boys, which beats all records. Cruickshank & I talked much before going to bed about the College, etc.

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