The Henson Journals

[277]

Saturday, August 24th, 1929.

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Mr Harold Speed went away after breakfast, leaving a mixed but mainly favourable impression. He is vain, self–conscious, and talkative, but he is also frank, humourous [sic], and cheerful. On the whole, he gave little trouble, and evidently tried to fit in to the (to him) unfamiliar, &, perhaps, unpalatable arrangements of an episcopal household. Then the Bishop of Jarrow took his departure. I lent him the proofs of two Nineteenth Century Articles, that of Mr Boys Smith, & my own.

I wrote some necessary letters, and then prepared a letter to the 'Church Times'. That journal contained a criticism, or rather a correction, of "Disestablishment". I had assumed that the Test Act extended to Members of Parliament, whereas it only dealt with civil, military, & naval officers. The difference is more apparent than real so far as my argument is concerned: but it is never a small thing that one holding my position should be convicted of inaccuracy.

[278]

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The "Times Literary Supplement" has two columns headed "The Bishop of Durham's Apologia", politely expressed, but hostile. I should judge that it represents the general attitude of Churchmen.

Lord Chelmsford sent us 2 brace of grouse, for which I wrote him a letter of thanks.

I discovered written in pencil on the fly–leaf of the 3rd volume of Lecky's History of England in the xviiith century, the name of 'Alfred Ainger'. I met him on several occasions when first I lived in Westminster. He was a quaint little spare white–haired man with shining eyes, a thin high voice, & a quick manner. I remember how severely he was accustomed to speak of Alexander ̭who̭ was then his colleague at the Temple, & whom he judged to be 'disloyal'. Since then Alexander has carried the same disloyalty, or reputation for disloyalty, into his new position as Canon of St Paul's. How far do their reputations deal justly with men?

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