The Henson Journals

[301]

Wednesday, April 20th, 1921.

Lloyd George replies at length to the Bishop of Chelmsford as one of the signatories of a protest against the proceedings in Ireland. If the situation were normal, such a pronouncement from the Prime Minister would make an immense sensation. As it is, nobody will be in the smallest degree influenced one way or the other.

I frittered away the day in making preparations for my departure, especially in arming myself for my interview with Lea [Lee] for income tax purposes. The complexity & worry of those hateful yellow forms baffle belief. However, if once the beastly things could be intelligibly filled up, a load would be lifted from my mind.

The evening paper announces the death of poor Loxley. He has lingered a long time. I am glad I was able to give him a little pleasure by making him an honorary Canon. It was, of course, a small thing, but it did give the touch of official recognition, which hitherto his ministry had not received. I hope the Dean & Chapter, in whose patronage the living is, will not send there some extravagant "Anglo–Catholick", of the type now becoming so common. Loxley was very "advanced, but he was a genuinely religious man, and a hard–working parish–priest. The impression he made during his long ministry in Jarrow is said to have been very excellent and lasting. R.I.P.

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