The Henson Journals

[53]

Wednesday, July 21st, 1920.

[I walked from 9 Vale Avenue to the Athenaeum in 45 minutes.] After writing some letters I walked to Lambeth. We did not make much progress today. There are signs that the truce between the factions is breaking down. However, we managed to get through the day without an open breach. I think the Committee realizes that I am the leader of the "Protestant" cause. The 4 Archbishops ‒ Armagh, Melbourne, Sydney, & Rupertsland ‒ support me pretty steadily. The Bishops of Zanzibar, Salisbury, Nassau, & St Alban's are recognised as the "Anglo–Catholick" zealots. The Bishop of Chelmsford has so far made no figure in the discussions, and the Bishop of Manchester fails to do himself justice. Lang is a good chairman, & Nickson does his duty as secretary excellently.

[I went to Sir Frank Colyer, & then motored to Vale Avenue. Ella & I dined with Canon & Mrs Barnes. There were the Bishop of Oxford & his wife, Lord & Lady Buckmaster, Sir Reginald Acland, & an unknown lady. The conversation ranged over many subjects, but left no clear recollections. Buckland impressed me as a fanatick, honest, perhaps, but purblind & underbred. Like all the Liberals he speaks with a curious bitterness about politics domestic & foreign. The rain was falling heavily when we left Westminster about 10.30 p.m. but we managed to find places in an omnibus & got home very easily.]

---