The Henson Journals

[188]

Friday, June 30th, 1922.

The National Assembly gave general approval the Archdeacon of Oakham's Dilapidations Measure, and then got on to the Bishop of Manchester's motion for increasing the Episcopate. I made a speech in opposition which held the house. After a long discussion the Report was received, & a much truncated motion passed. On the whole this meant a partial rebuff for "Life & Liberty". The Archbishop of Canterbury declared himself against "small" bishoprics, and the Bishop of Ely confessed that he repented of his efforts to divide his own bishoprics.

I lunched again with the Dillons: & then went to the Athenaeum. It is stated in the 'Times' that 30 "Anglo–Catholick" leaders have signed a repudiation of Athelstan Ridley's speech in the Assembly. The usual hypocritical process is evidently repeating itself. There will be a short pause on a greatly advanced plane, & then the process of going forward will be resumed!

I dined at the Deanery. Campbell Dodgson & his wife, Mrs Belloc Lowndes, Lord Lowe, Mr Stanley Leathes & ourselves were the company. I had a good deal of talk with Mrs Belloc Lowndes on the present state of "Society". She gave me a rather startling description of her own knowledge of it, & illustrated with many particular examples of depravity. In spite of the fact that she is a Roman Catholick, she expressed very "liberal" views on the relation of the sexes, though she declared herself resolutely opposed to divorce.

---