The Henson Journals

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Wednesday, January 21st, 1920.

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A note from K. tells me that the author of the communicated article in the Times of last Saturday on the use of the R.V. in church was the Editor of the Quarterly. George Prothero ought to have more sense, but all these "literary" folk hang together, & their opposition has the effect of making dislike of the R.V. fashionable. K. himself will write on the other side next Saturday.

I wrote to Meyer & Shakespeare for information about Nonconformity. Charles Scott came to see me. He is in treaty for a curacy in Plymouth, where he will find himself in a nest of Anglo–Romans.

Wright spoke to me this afternoon about fresh scandals at that unhappy parish Hatfield, where the parson, Bickerstaff, continues to live most disreputably. This is another of the Lord Chancellor's livings. It is only worth £168. yearly according to the calendar, and there are but 205 parishioners. I called on James in order to learn from him whether I can do anything: he seemed doubtful. The recent case of the Vicar of Rusper indicates the difficulty of proving accusations of loose living against a clergyman. Nor can it be doubted that an incriminated parson ought to be secured against any chance of oppression. Still the scandal is notorious & extreme. Something ought to be attempted in aid of the Church's good name. These tiny country parishes are very unfavourable to discipline. Men "go to pieces" through idleness & solitude.

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