The Henson Journals

[27]

Wednesday, November 29th, 1922.

The Bishop of S t David's, whom I have judged to be a sane & tolerant person, tells me that he refused to ordain a man to the priesthood because he had married an innocent divorcée. "There was nothing against him here except his marriage … He gave me the usual references, and as the replies were satisfactory & the impression left on me by him was favourable I ordained him deacon. Afterwards a friend hinted the desirability of further enquiry before he was ordained priest but gave no details. I sent for J–––––s, & asked him to be frank with me. He then told me that his wife was an 'innocent divorcée'. The Bishop appears to ground his action on the opinion that marriage with an innocent divorcée 'would prejudice his usefulness as a clergyman' But is this a fact which a Bishop ought to acquiesce in, & allow to determine his action?

William motored me to Durham where I took train for Edinburgh. Leaving at 11.48a.m. I arrived at 3.38p.m, & drove at once to 41 Drumsheugh gardens where Eunice & Kathleen welcomed me. My companion on this journey was Mr Ropner the Ship builder from Hartlepool, who was on his way to Edinburgh to take part in some discussion between 'Capital and Labour'. He said there has been a slight movement of recovery in the ship–building industry, and he was not without hope of a general revival: but the way would be a long one before any genuine recovery of our trade could be effected. Gordon & his wife came to tea, and also Clayton's sister.

[28] [symbol]

I went to the North British Hotel, and presided over a meeting of the club. When the normal business was transacted and on my proposition, John Buchan was elected President for 1923. Then I took the chair at the annual dinner. There was a numerous company, about 200 it is said. They were all men save for about half a dozen ladies. Sir Richard Lodge sat beside me, & was very pleasant. I spoke for exactly 45 minutes, and was closely listened to. On the whole I incline to think that the speech was successful. If I believed the flatterous things that were said about it, there can be no doubt on the subject. D r Fisher in proposing my health was, of course, abjectly adulatory, but then he doesn't count in these matters. Lodge thanked me, & he does count.

The dinner & the speeches to say nothing of the tobacco–smoke disturbed me so that I had a sleepless night. In the course thereof I read a small book which happened to be in the room – 'Letters and Recollections of Sir Walter Scott by W m Hughes (of Uffington) edited by Horace G Hutchinson. Th os Nelson & Son – Here I found some very interesting references to Durham and to Auckland Castle. Bishop Van Mildert told Scott that the Mayor of Durham, who had come out to the Castle on a deputation to the Bishop, mistook one of the patriarchs in the large dining room for Robinson Crusoe. This clearly is the origin of Bishop Maltby and the curate.

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