The Henson Journals

[107]

Monday, January 29th, 1923.

I packed, and came away, resigning my latch–key rather ruefully. It is horrid to be thrown back into the "changes and chances" of hotels . In the Athenaeum I set myself to writing a letter to the Times on "Prayer Book Revision" in which I drew into prominence what I hold to be the "salient point" of the new Anglo–Catholic movement viz. its repudiation of all Anglican authority. Ernest coming into the club, I showed him what I had written, & he approving it, I gave it to the post. Then I walked to Westminster, and attended the meeting of the National Assembly. There seemed a fairly full attendance of members. Sir Lewis Dibden introduced in a speech of 45 minutes the Union of Benefices Measure, a dull theme for a dull man. The "debate" occupied the rest of the session. Godfrey Charnwood took me off to the Club for tea. There we found Sir George Murray, & had some talk. I made my way to Lambeth, where I found Ella, who had created a mild sensation by fainting in the gallery of the Church House, where she had been attending the debate . I took down to dinner M rs Lisle Carr, the wife of the Bishop of Coventry, a pleasant unimpressive lady by nature earmarked for an ecclesiastical career. The Bishop himself is a plain hearty man, who has a considerable reputation as a "live" clergyman.

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