The Henson Journals

[11]

Thursday, June 3rd, 1920.

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I received a second type–written communication from the Prime Minister's Secretary, informing me that the P.M. "would like to announce the 3 appointments (Carlisle, Ripon, & Durham) simultaneously". This assurance that my acceptance had been duly received led me to venture writing to Carissima, & telling her sub sigillo [under seal] what had happened. In the course of the day I informed the Dean & Wynne Willson under pledge of secrecy. It seemed difficult to go along without letting them into the secret. Later I wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury, enclosing a copy of my letter to the Prime Minister. After lunch we motored to Morton Court, where Mrs Hill gave a drawing–room meeting in the interest of the Church Army. I presided, & made a short speech. Then I went back to the Palace, & wrote the letters with Wynne–Willson. For the rest, I worked at a sermon for Cambridge on Sunday. It is woeful work when one's mind is pre–occupied with quite other matters.

Lord Halifax's answer to the eminent persons who claimed important appointments from William III's Government on the ground that they had been prominent supporters of the Revolution is worth remembering:–

"I remember to have read in history that Rome was saved by geese: but I do not remember that the geese were made consuls."

It may well be the case that I shall have occasion to make use of that caustic and searching aphorism when, as Bishop of Durham, I administer my patronage.

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