The Henson Journals

[121]

Wednesday, May 24th, 1922.

The heat today has been tropical. I spent the morning in the Athenaeum, where I had some conversation with Bayley about the Committee. Canon Bickersteth from Canterbury talked with me about the state of Ireland. He had just returned from Cork; his account of the situation of the Southern Protestants was woeful. They complain with well justified bitterness that England first disarmed, and then deserted them: that they are in worse case than if they were living in a foreign country: that their position is utterly desperate. The latest phase of our dealings with Ireland is the most inept, the most shameful, and the most disastrous.

After lunching in the Club, I walked to Dean's Yard, and spent the afternoon at Lord Cave's Committee. The Dean, Cruickshank, and Bayley gave evidence about Durham Cathedral. The first was fatuous beyond words, but I think he made no good impression. It is sufficiently evident that Dibdin is opposed to my scheme. Most of the rest are, I incline to believe, friendly.

I walked back to the Athenaeum, and wrote to Ella. Sir Henry Newbolt joined me at dinner. On returning to Park Lane, I found a telegram from William:– 'Arrived safely with car.' This is comforting.

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