The Henson Journals

[86]

Friday, 27thJune, 1924.

I motored to Darlington, and there took train for Leeds. On my arrival I was met at the station, and carried to lunch at a Restaurant. I sate beside the Vicar of Leeds, and had some talk with him, but not to much effect as he is a cryptick cautious fellow who is so mortally afraid of giving himself away that he says nothing worth remembering. Then I attended the meeting in the Church Institute, in the interest of the 'Waifs & Strays' Society. The Archbishop of York presided, and speeches were made by me, and Sir Gervase Beckett. Then I had tea with the Archbishop in the Club, and came away. I was met at Darlington by William, and got back to the Castle in time for dinner. Bishop Lasbrey, who is to address the Diocesan Conference on Foreign Missions, arrived & stayed the night.

The "Yorkshire Post" gives more than a column on its front page to my speech on Prohibition; & brief reports of it appear in several of the papers. I shall become more than ever odious to the Fanaticks, and unintelligible to the Saints! It is obvious enough that the prominence given to a very insignificant little meeting reflects the anxiety of "the Trade" to make the most of such episcopal support as they can get! Had I spoken like an angel on a subject which did not affect that interest, my words wd never have been reported at all.

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