The Henson Journals

[71]

Wednesday, August 4th, 1920.

J. G. Wilson came to see me at 9.45 a.m. with a sheaf of small affairs to settle. I signed the Commission for Quirk to act as suffragan, & promised to have the seal sent to Durham for its due sealing. He suggested that I should ask Pattison to accompany me at Bishop Auckland when I go through the furniture. Incidentally, he said that, so far as he cd remember, the great carpet was valued at no more than £30. He said that the late Bishop's books were left to the Castle. I inquired whether I shd be bound to preserve the rubbish, & he said that he thought I had a perfectly free hand. Then I ordered a dress suit of purple cloth at Wippell's: and went to the hair–dresser to have my hair trimmed. Then I walked to Lambeth, where the tiresome business of the marriage–problems report was resumed. We had a series of frantically fanatical speeches, from Zanzibar, St Alban's, & others. I went off about 6.30 p.m., leaving the conference in session. I dined at 16 Elvaston Place. The company consisted of Miss Mundella, the Bishop of Oxford, Luigi Villari (the son of the historian of Florence), Mrs Andrew Lang, another lady, & myself. It was quite a pleasant party. I returned to the Hotel about 11 p.m.

The discussion was continued at Lambeth until nearly 8 p.m., & then Zanzibar, finding the bishops disposed to vote a very modest amendment, struck an attitude, & threatened to secede from the Conference. The menace had an immediate effect: the amendment was not put to the vote: & the whole matter was adjourned until the following day! It is difficult adequately to describe such pusillanimous conduct.

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