The Henson Journals

[96]

Saturday, December 24th, 1921. Christmas Eve.

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I think "E.S." must be the initial of the Revd Edward Shillito, B.A. (Oxon) Minister, Buckhurst Hill Church (Congregational) a man of 49, and an author of various works. He is evidently a "Free Catholic", and is announced to read a paper on "The significance of the Protestant Revolt against Ceremonial", at the forthcoming Conference of Free Catholics. Among the other speakers are Dr Orchard, the Rev. Paul Bull, and the Rev. Egerton Swann. The last two are Anglican "Catholic Socialists". This confirms my suspicion that the 'true inwardness' of the review in the London Times is more economic & political than religious. The "Free Catholick" movement has always seemed to me to have about as much claim to represent Nonconformity as the extreme section of "Anglo–Catholicks" have to represent the Church of England.

Mrs Dillon sends me Lord Salisbury's Life in 2 vols. The 2nd vol. is curiously defective, consisting of pp. 1–64, bound up six times over. I returned it to Blackwell with a request for a complete copy.

In the afternoon I walked in the Park with Ernest & Linetta. At 9 p.m. the Choir of St Anne's sang carols in the Chapel. The servants attended, and it was a pleasing reminder of the Festival. On returning to my study, I found a quaint pen–wiper with a little metal dachshund, accompanied by a letter from the Thurlow boys to the following effect:

My dear Lord Bishop

We are so sorry to think of you weeping into the black–edged pocket handkerchief when we go, that we are sending you a little friend to comfort you, and to be of more use than we could ever hope to be.

With best wishes for Christmas.

We are yours affecty

Harry, Francis, Rowaleyn, Alec X his mark

Witness. Puck Peter

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