The Henson Journals

[213]

Wednesday, November 23rd, 1927.

I received a latter from Kenneth. He has been somewhat staggered by the baser side of undergraduate life as disclosed in a "rag" on November 5th, & at a Bump supper: but he writes in a simple manly way which pleases me. He is not yet 18, and Oxford is a bigger world than he has yet known.

Lord Selborne writes to [sic] about Lord Halsbury, who is doubtful about the revised prayer book:

"To cut a long story short, he said that he was torn with doubt, that his inclination was to vote against it, but there was one man above all others with whom he would like to discuss it, and that was you. I asked him if I might tell you so, & he readily agreed."

So, on the strength of this, I wrote to Lord Halsbury telling him when I should next be in London.

Lady Guy Wrightson & Miss Maude came to lunch, and afterwards talked with me about S. Agnes's home in Darlington which languishes for lack of local interest.

I motored to Hart, through pouring rain, picking up Lionel on the way in Durham. I instituted the new Vicar, Wilson, and gave him a high character. There was but a scant congregation which, considering the weather, was nowise surprising. Douglas, his predecessor, read the prayers, & Derry, whose blindness is increasing, inducted the new Vicar. Then we returned to Auckland, giving Douglas & his wife a lift home. The rain poured down all the while.