The Henson Journals
Thu 24 July 1930
Volume 50, Pages 165 to 166
[165]
Thursday, July 24th, 1930.
[struck through] I wrote to the Bishop of Sierra Leone, sending him the letters which Mr Gow sent me with reference to the untoward state of affairs in the English Church at Madeira. I disclaimed any personal knowledge of the matter.[end]
We are mostly engaged in going over the proof of the Report, and this gives considerable opportunity to the "Die–hard" Anglo–Catholicks to renew the fight: but Temple is an excellent chairman, good–tempered, resourceful, & very industrious: so we made fair progress. We sat until 3:30 p.m., & then went to Buckingham Palace for the Royal Garden Party. There was an immense concourse: the refreshment tent was besieged, but many could not get 'bite or sup'. After two fruitless efforts, Ella (very reluctantly) consented to come away. I am never so near becoming a Republican as on these occasions when I am graciously permitted to approach His Majesty!! But the ladies love these shows: & so long as that continues to be the case, we shall have to put up with them.
[166]
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We dined with Lord Darling. Lord and Lady Hanworth were there: and an eminent sculptor and his wife. It was a very pleasant party. After the ladies had withdrawn, we had an unusually interesting discussion on politics: and I found myself in marked agreement with Lord Hanworth. He gave me the impression of being anxious to "bury the hatchet" of the Prayer Book controversy: and I was myself in the mood to be reconciled. Accordingly, we became quite cordial as the conversation progressed, &, when the party broke up, he volunteered to drive us home in his motor, and did so very civilly. Di was very kind, and, indeed, so far as the situation admitted, affectionate. But we had no singing which was a disappointment.
Lord Hanworth said that the new master of the Temple, Carpenter, was well–liked: but that he was ill heard, a fact he more regretted since he was certainly a good preacher. Lord Darling asked when I was preaching again, to which I wd but reply, "at the Greek Kalends".