The Henson Journals

[51]

Saturday, May 23rd, 1925.

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Ella went off to visit Mrs Percival in Wales. I proceeded to London, and put up at the Master's House in the Temple. Before dinner we walked and talked in the Temple Garden for more than an hour. There came to dinner Sir Alfred Hopkinson, lately principal of the University in Manchester, and one whom I judged to be the County Court Judge of Birmingham. The local Worcester papers contain accounts of the Diocesan Conference. I was amused by the following in Berrow's Worcester Journal:

"On the question of patronage reform the conference listened to one of the most fascinating addresses ever delivered since Bishop Perowne revived the Conferences. To match the vivid interest shown in the Bishop of Durham's arguments and the whole–hearted enjoyment of his wit, one would have to go back to the days of Bishop Gore, when thrust and counter–thrust were oftener witnessed than they are today".

Well, well! The enjoyment was severely limited to the place of assembly! I suppose Gore's episcopate – the last of the old regime, before the breaking–up of the historic see – has in retrospect an aspect of greatness.

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