The Henson Journals

[33]

Thursday, April 26th, 1923.

Aleck Lawrence & I breakfasted pleasantly with Vincent Baddeley & a friend. Then I made my way to the Athenaeum by an immense detour, the crowds which were gathering for the Duke of York's wedding making the direct approach impossible. I found a considerable parcel of letters awaiting me, & spent the morning in answering them. At lunch, Mr Humphrey Ward introduced himself to me, & we had some conversation.

I transferred myself from Marsham Street to the Deanery of S. Paul's, and, after tea with Ralph and Kitty, went to the Cathedral, and preached to the Royal Society of S. George. There was a considerable congregation, and I think they could all hear, but there is always something unnatural to English folk about a week–day sermon! Old Canon Newbolt was the only member of the chapter present at the service. He expressed himself in a very melancholy manner as to the prospect of Prayer book Revision. He belongs to the older Tractarian school which views with considerable perturbation the lawlessness of the "Anglo–Catholics", and, to do it justice, had a sense of order and loyalty. Crauford Inge has grown to be a thoughtful, well–mannered youth of seventeen. I was certainly pleased with the result of his three years at Shrewsbury: & I shall make an effort to gain & keep his friendship.

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