The Henson Journals

[121]

Whit Monday, June 6th, 1927.

If pen be good and paper nought

Fair writing can not well be wrought

If ink be good and paper ill

The writing is imperfect still

If all the three be good yet penman's art

And skilful hand must play his part.

I received back from the Abp. of Canterbury the collection of letters which constituted A's dossier, and with it a communication from his Grace approving my decision, that he cannot possibly be admitted to Holy Orders. Also, I received from a doctor in Stockton quite a vehement protest against my jibes against the Protestant underworld. I sent him the Bishoprick with a fairly soothing letter. The morning was wasted in writing letters.

At 2.15 p.m. I left the castle, & motored by way of Barnard Castle, Kirkby Stephen and Kendal to Witherstock Hall to visit Oliver Stanley & Lady Maureen. There was an almost continuous stream of motor cars on the main road. There had been races somewhere, & this was the returning crowd. There were two other guests – a barrister named John Edward Singleton K.C. and a neighbour named Nigel Kennedy, both pleasant men. We had a great talk about social tendencies etc, and retired to bed shortly after midnight in a deeply pessimistic mood!

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