The Henson Journals

[26]

Tuesday, April 17th, 1923.

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Before going to the House of Bishops I called on Dr Vernon to inquire about Marion's plans. It is evident that she is apprehensive of a recurrence of the mischief from which last year's operation was thought to have set her free. The discussion on the motion for "general approval" continued, with an interval for luncheon, until 4 p.m., when the vote was taken. Three bishops – Norwich, Bristol, & Worcester – voted in the negative , but why I cannot imagine. The most notable speech was that of Lang, who expressed his preference for the 1st Prayer book of Edward VI, in which he was supported by the Bishop of Winchester, whose speech was painfully incoherent and senile. He draws towards fourscore, & ought to retire. The Bishop of Chelmsford ranted & canted, & so (with an added touch of buffoonery which was all his own) did the Bishop of St Alban's. The latter made a very bad impression on everybody. As one listens to him one is amazed that the episcopate of England should be represented by a rowdy undergraduate, for he is nothing more.

I returned home by the 5.30p.m. express, and had Strong as my travelling companion as far as York. We had much talk together. He is certainly far more liberal on ecclesiastical matters ^than might be inferred from his ecclesiastical "colour"^ , but I cannot avoid the suspicion that he is not so liberal as he seems, or as probably he imagines himself to be. Clayton & William met the train at Darlington.

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