The Henson Journals

[82]

Saturday, August 14th, 1920.

"Yesterday, August 13th 1920, the English Revolution began." ‒ that was my observation after reading the newspaper this morning. A power has arisen outside of Parliament which openly claims to direct the policy of the nation, & is avowedly acting in concert with a foreign power against the constitutional government of the country. Organised labour representing a minority of the nation claims to dictate the foreign policy of the Empire: & threatens "direct action" to enforce its claim. The loathing of War, which has been created in the public mind during the last five years, predisposes many to condone any action which averts War, who naturally would have no part in movements of revolution. But no considering man can mistake the nature of last night's proceedings. England has ceased to be a constitutional monarchy, & is making its first advance towards "the dictatorship of the proletariat".

This day being the birthday both of Archdeacon Lilley and of his eldest daughter, we were invited to join in a picnic on the river. We spent a pleasant afternoon.

Creed writes to decline my offer of the examining chaplaincy on the ground that he is already one of the Bishop of Wakefield's chaplains. [My mind swings back to the perilous notion of appointing the "Anglo–Catholic" Moulsdale, though I have misgivings as to the prudence of introducing the enemy into my very citadel! However, I have him there in Durham in any case, & office might clip his claws!]

---