ST. GEORGE'S HILL, July 2nd-8th, 1877.
—Wednesday, 4th. Smart Chiswick garden-party, went off beautifully, but the garden, alas ! doesn't look half as pretty with all the vistas crowded up as with just 100 poor people. Had to arrive late, as P.D.S. [FN: Public Day School.] meeting came off at 4, whereat I made a neat speech ! ! quite 4 minutes long. To Speaker's drum after dinner.
—Thurs., 5th. Another batch of Hospital nurses had a day out at the Barclays' at Woodford: thundery showers. Last P.M.W. meeting this season....
—Saturday, 7th. Went to see Ld. Stratford de Redcliffe, who was sitting in a warm dressing-gown in his arm-chair, with a fine tabby-cat to keep him company; he was very cheerful and clear-headed; hardly even deaf, at 90. Lateish we went off to Brocket; joined at the station by Ly. Ripon and finding Mr. Leveson here. Intensely still place, looking like a clearing in an old forest; too much betreed, but with some glades stretching away, with bracken and rabbits. Rested deliciously, mooning over Palgrave's pretty little volume of Herrick's poems.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
18Jun1877, "The Priest in Absolution" Scandal
LONDON, June 18th-24th, 1877.
—Had a talk with Mr. Majendie about an unspeakably shocking book called "The Priest in Absolution," which has somehow got out, tho' it must be said it was only intended for the use of certain clergy. It is put forth by a body called "The Soc. of the Holy Cross," to which many distinguished "advanced" High Churchmen have given their names; but Mr. Majendie, who is intimate with many Ritualists, and a very High Churchman himself, knew nothing of it till it was called attention to in the H. of Lords the other day; and is greatly scandalized and dismayed. If private Confession makes it necessary to print such things, it certainly is a fatal objection to it as in any sense a system. But I have long felt that, inasmuch as it is impossible to prevent people going to confession, or clergy from hearing them, the only possible security against folly, rashness, and all evil results, is for Bishops to forbid clergy acting as confessors until they have reached a certain age, and can properly be depended on for wisdom and calmness and self-control....
Wed., 20th. Went to see dear Augusta Noel [FN: Daughter of the 6th Earl of Albemarle, wife of Ernest Noel, M.P.] ; she is laid up on her sofa, and has a new story on hand. I shot Dizzy in a brougham, looking more horribly like a fiend than ever; poor old wretch—green, with a glare in his eye.
—Had a talk with Mr. Majendie about an unspeakably shocking book called "The Priest in Absolution," which has somehow got out, tho' it must be said it was only intended for the use of certain clergy. It is put forth by a body called "The Soc. of the Holy Cross," to which many distinguished "advanced" High Churchmen have given their names; but Mr. Majendie, who is intimate with many Ritualists, and a very High Churchman himself, knew nothing of it till it was called attention to in the H. of Lords the other day; and is greatly scandalized and dismayed. If private Confession makes it necessary to print such things, it certainly is a fatal objection to it as in any sense a system. But I have long felt that, inasmuch as it is impossible to prevent people going to confession, or clergy from hearing them, the only possible security against folly, rashness, and all evil results, is for Bishops to forbid clergy acting as confessors until they have reached a certain age, and can properly be depended on for wisdom and calmness and self-control....
Wed., 20th. Went to see dear Augusta Noel [FN: Daughter of the 6th Earl of Albemarle, wife of Ernest Noel, M.P.] ; she is laid up on her sofa, and has a new story on hand. I shot Dizzy in a brougham, looking more horribly like a fiend than ever; poor old wretch—green, with a glare in his eye.
11Jun1877, Women's Party at Chiswick
LONDON, June 11th-17th, 1877.
—Oh, on Fri. we had a most successful afternoon at Chiswick, which the Duke let us have for a Limehouse party — Ishbel Marjoribanks's [FN: Now wife of the 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair.] first supplemental work. She and I and Helen and two Talbot girls drove down, and the intense enjoyment of the mothers was delightful to see-100 of them in the lovely garden. It brought our honeymoon vividly back to me to see it in peace in June.
—Oh, on Fri. we had a most successful afternoon at Chiswick, which the Duke let us have for a Limehouse party — Ishbel Marjoribanks's [FN: Now wife of the 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair.] first supplemental work. She and I and Helen and two Talbot girls drove down, and the intense enjoyment of the mothers was delightful to see-100 of them in the lovely garden. It brought our honeymoon vividly back to me to see it in peace in June.
04Jun1877, Uncle W. in Famous Force
LONDON, June 4th-10th, 1877.
—Pleasant dinner in Harley Street, meeting Sybella, Stephy, Dr. Clark, Sir James Lacaita. Uncle W. in famous force; held forth like a brilliant book upon a notion he laid down that persecution was never taken up by the Church as such until the Papal pretensions arose. Sir J. and Dr. Clark demurred a little, but we badly wanted some one to stand up to him, and so make a good argument of it.
—Pleasant dinner in Harley Street, meeting Sybella, Stephy, Dr. Clark, Sir James Lacaita. Uncle W. in famous force; held forth like a brilliant book upon a notion he laid down that persecution was never taken up by the Church as such until the Papal pretensions arose. Sir J. and Dr. Clark demurred a little, but we badly wanted some one to stand up to him, and so make a good argument of it.
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