The Henson Journals

[91]

Tuesday, July 1st, 1924.

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For the last time William acted as my chauffeur by driving me to Darlington for the early train. As we turned into the station the speedometer registered the completion of 13,000 miles. On my way to London I read through a little book of lectures on "Christianity and the Religions of the World" by Albert Schweitzer. It is, of course, a very rapid sketch of a very large subject, but it is full of priceless obiter dicta. On arriving in London, I deposited my bags at 21 Park Lane, and went to the hair–dresser, where my Nazirite locks were shorn, & my head cleansed. Then I went to the House of Lords to investigate tomorrow's prospects. Lord Malmesbury introduced himself to me, & said that the opposition were counting on me to make the principal speech. Lord Danescourt (Butcher), & Lord Darling both said that they wd vote with me. So did Charnwood, with whom I walked as far as his house, and Sumner, whom I met in the Club. Ld Scarbrough expressed his intention of voting against the Bill: and there will be several bishops against it. Still I doubt whether we shall be able to defeat the Bill. Lords Selbourne and others have issued a whip on their side, & they count for a good deal.

[92] [symbol]

I dined in the Club. There were 11 members dining viz:

1. George Trevelyan

2. Sir Charles Oman

3. Sir Frederick Kenyon

4. Herbert Fisher

5. Sir Henry Newbolt

6. Hon: Edward Wood

7. Rudyard Kipling

8. Bishop Gore

9. Lord Stamfordham

10. Lord Crawford

11. Bishop of Durham University

The talk was vivacious and well–sustained. It ranged over many subjects, but dwelt longest on India and Egypt. I sate between Oman and Trevelyan. Kipling was talkative & interesting: but I remembered nothing worthy of record!

This afternoon, LdDarling asked me whether I was dining at Grillions:– & when I said that I was not a member: he said that my name had been put up for membership. Am I to conclude that my name had been rejected at the ballot? That would be humiliating. I should like to belong to Grillions, but I am so rarely in town that I should very rarely be able to dine, if I were elected: and the subscription could not be negligible. Besides, I grow old, and youth is an indispensable condition of enjoyment in these societies!

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