The Henson Journals

[148]

Thursday, February 3rd, 1921.

Linetta walked with me as far as the Athenaeum: our conversation was maintained under the double disadvantage of continuing noise & an incipient fog. I spent the day in the National Assembly, where the committee stage on the Parochial Councils Bill was finally disposed of. Lord Phillimore moved a resolution (i.e. a new clause) as to the position of the Churchwardens, & in his speech he described me humourously as "superstitious". I "got my own back" by saying that "I recognized Lord P. as an authority on superstition, & that if, indeed, I desired to pass as an exponent of superstition, I could desire no better credential than a certificate from his Lordship". The voting went against Lord P. A vulgar, ranting speech by the Bishop of St Alban's (Furse) pleased a section of the assembly, but distressed all whose opinion was worth anything. Lang generally co–operated with me in the debate.

Harold met me with the motor, which he recommends me to purchase. for £600. I dined with Miss Mundella. A dense fog enveloped the West End, & I was grateful for the kindly guidance of a lady with a lamp, who had been attending the Congress. Sir Charles Munro & his wife were there, and Godfrey & Dorothy. On the whole a pleasant evening. I went & returned by the underground at the cost of ten pence. I got back about 11.15 p.m.

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