The Henson Journals

[208]

Thursday, March 10th, 1921.

I breakfasted with Lord S. and Lady Serena. Then I walked to the Athenaeum, and prepared notes for a speech on the Divorce Bill, of which Gorell is to move the 2nd Reading this afternoon. Then I walked to 98 Park Street, and lunched with Willie Murray, Vivian & Eleanor. Willie walked back to the Athenaeum, where I picked up my paper–bag, & walked to the House of Lords. Then I made a final revision of my speech, & attended the debate. Lang spoke, and, when he sate down, I got up, but gave place to Ld Parmoor. When he had finished, I got up, and delivered my speech with sundry impromptus suggested by the debate. Lang, Ingram, Talbot, Watts–Ditchfield, & Cecil were the other occupants of the episcopal bench. There were about 50 peers in the House, and quite a little crowd about the throne of eldest sons & officials. The House was attentive: once it laughed, & at the end it cheered. I was followed by F. E. [F. E. Smith] who paid me an elaborate compliment. Lang said the speech was a great success: so did Lord Massarene, and Godfrey. So I might have fared worse. Lord Scarbrough turned up, & was, I think, pleased. Now I have to run the gauntlet of the Church Papers. The sinister Phillimore was there, & will be able to give his account of what I said to the E.C.U.! Anyway, on this very burning question, I have "crossed the Rubicon", & that is, perhaps, worth something in these times of confusion.

[209]

Lord Emmott came to dinner, and he agrees with Lord S. in saying that my speech was "a great success". The latter was really almost enthusiastic. "a breath of fresh air in the House – everybody was delighted." Well, well! "F.E." is said to have become a "Pussy–foot" for a period of six months, probably under doctor's orders. He certainly looks very well under the new régime. Lord E. thinks that the events in Russia are probably "the beginning of the end". The Bolshies may suppress this rising, but the economic position is desperate, and quite beyond their powers to rectify. We talked of the Milner Report on Egypt. Lord S. said that it was drafted by Rennell Rodd, who was enthusiastic about it. Lord E. said that he felt the deepest misgivings on 3 subjects – Ireland, Egypt, India.

A message was brought to me from the Press Gallery when I sate down after delivering my speech to the effect that I had not been well heard in the Reporters' Gallery, & asking for my notes that they might be used in the official Report. I certainly was very hoarse in speaking, & the Reporters' Gallery is rather distant, still it is humiliating to learn that I was badly heard.

Bell, the Archbishop's Chaplain, was among the company on the steps of the Throne while I was addressing the House. I told him to convey to his Grace my dutiful regards, and to wish him a speedy recovery. Bell himself professed a measure of agreement with my speech.

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