The Henson Journals

[64]

Wednesday, February 25th, 1920.

The post brought me a penitent letter from Mr W. promising amendment. May God help him to hold to his good purpose! Also a formal request from the Archbishop that I should introduce to the Lambeth Conference the subject of relations with and reunion with the Non–episcopal Churches.

William failed to be on time with the car, & Mrs Streeter had to be hustled to the station. He made an ingenious acknowledgement of his fault, which on that account I the more readily condoned. Ella stayed in bed, being afflicted with a heavy cold. Add that a heavy mist lay like a wet curtain over the world, and the ill start of the day is sufficiently apparent.

I prepared notes for my speech at Cardiff in aid of the Starving children of central Europe. These kinds of public–speaking don't really suit me. If I can judge myself, I should be best in a set political oration, and, perhaps with practice, I should make a tolerable debater. But the sentimentalism which marks successful appeals, & the jokes which make the fortune of popular orators are beyond, or below me.

I travelled to Cardiff, and was met by the Bishop's car: after an early dinner at the Palace we all went to the technical college for the meeting. There was a good attendance. The lord Mayor presided. He is a fluent speaker, & was rather too long in his opening remarks. I spoke for about 20–25 minutes, & then Miss Courtney for 35minutes. An excitable Jewish Rabbi proposed a vote of thanks, & we had a collection.

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