The Henson Journals

[123]

Thursday, July 19th, 1923.

What is the province of the laity? To hunt, to shoot, to entertain. These matters they understand, but to meddle with ecclesiastical matters they have no right at all.

Mr Talbot, 25th April 1867.

Thus brutally expressed the clerical view of the layman remains always the same. In this respect at least the Roman and the Anglican are agreed.

I spent the morning in writing the first of the 2 articles which I had promised to write for the "Morning Post" on the Anglo–Catholic Congress. It was sent off by the evening post.

In the afternoon Macdonald brought a party of 50 unemployed men from West Hartlepool. They had tea in the gallery, and attended a short service in the Chapel. I showed them the State Room, etc., and let them play bowls in the garden. They seemed to enjoy themselves.

Charlie Oman arrived for a short visit. He is awaiting his vivâ voce examination in the final history school. A silent leisurely youth with archaeological tastes, & a sweet temper.

William completes four years in my service today. I gave him a copy of 'Nicholas Nickleby' to mark the fact.

The weather was rainy & chill.

---