The Henson Journals

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Wednesday, October 12th, 1921. Birmingham (Ch. Congress).

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I attended the session in the Town Hall at which the Industrial Question was discussed. The appointed speakers were mostly socialists, & the "discussion" was extraordinarily feeble. I did not speak, though several private appeals were made to me. But I only wished to take the measure of the madness. For the first time I saw the redoubtable Tawney. He is a stout man with a superior & very "cock–sure" manner, & the carriage of a revolutionary. Raven looking very overwraught [sic] & apocalyptic, spoke well but, of course, extravagantly. The Warden of Liddon House, a parson named Slessor, was on the same side. There was a sensible speech by a man named Blain. The general effect was highly mischievous. Particularly I was interested in the audience, which had a very bald–headed & grey haired appearance, & was clearly hotly sympathetic with the Socialists. Waggett spoke to me after the meeting. He looks but a little changed since the time, more than 30 years ago, when he tried to persuade me to imitate his example, and join the Cowley Brotherhood. I came away by the 2.20 p.m. train from New Street Station. Linetta came on to the platform to see me off. I think she is pleased with her professorship. I arrived at Darlington at 7.22 p.m., and was met by William & the car. After dinner Clayton & I went through the correspondence.

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