The Henson Journals

[17]

Thursday, October 27th, 1921.

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Dear Mr Frost,

In reply to your letter I must reiterate my decision not to license your brother in my diocese. Since, however, my predecessor – very wrongly as I must needs think – admitted him to Ordination, I will not refuse temporary permission for him to officiate in ̭any̭ parish – where the Incumbent may desire to give him employment.

I may point out that, since my refusal to license is based on his physical disability, it implies no other disadvantage than is involved in that circumstance.

If a blind man were presented to me for institution to a benefice, I should hold it necessary to make sure that the Churchwardens knew of the fact in good time to object to the appointment if they desired to do so: &, certainly, if they did object, I should feel constrained to refuse institution.

I am assured that Bishop Moule consented to ordain your brother with very great hesitation, and with a general understanding that you would look after him.

Believe me, yours v. faithfully,

Herbert Dunelm:

I left Park Lane in time to catch the 10 a.m. express at King's Cross, and travelled comfortably to Darlington, where William met me with the car, & motored me to the Castle. Among the letters awaiting me was another from the blind curate's brother, which I answered forthwith. I was interested to find that the "Yorkshire Post", not content with their brief notice of my address to the Diocesan Conference, which appeared in last Monday's issue, had two columns of it in the issue of Tuesday.

Ella and I motored to Durham, and dined at the Deanery to meet H. H. Marie Louise, who has been staying with the Dean for most of this week on an expedition in aid of the Y.M.C.A. I took Mrs Greenwell in to dinner. The company was not social exalted, but it was friendly, & fluttered agreeably by the presence of a live Princess!

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