The Henson Journals

[157]

Thursday, July 26th, 1928.

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J. G. Wilson came to tea. Everybody was out except myself, so we had much talk together. He was strongly of opinion that, even if the opportunity were given me, I ought not to exchange Durham for York. An Archbishop, he said, must always be in the chair, & is thus deprived of all chance of free self–expression, a situation which would be intolerable to a man of my temperament. He agreed that, in any case, I could not honourably accept appointment without stipulating for 'a free hand in the matter of the Establishment'.

The money for the Castle dribbles in with a slowness which is extremely alarming. Today £9:9:0 has arrived. At this pace, we shall be in a position to begin in, perhaps, thirty years time!

The newspapers announce that the Primate has resigned & that his resignation will take effect on November 12th, which is his wedding day. The 'Yorkshire Post' not content with once more publishing his Grace's portrait, publishes also those of the 4 commissioners who were deputed to accept his resignation. A categorical denial of the Bishop of London's rumoured intention of accepting translation to a smaller see, is issued from Fulham.