5 JANUARY 1951, Page 20

Bishop Henson's Letters

SIR,—Janus finds in the recently published volume of Bishop Hensley Henson's letters the same characteristics as were prominent in the

Bishop's Retrospect—" pungent observations" and "mordant epigram."

Another reader finds here abundant evidence of the warm-hearted and . affectionate side of his character which the Bishop concealed so success- fully in his own book. Consider for example the remarkable letters to his young friends at the university or at theological colleges, and to children; or the revealing words in a letter to a former domestic chaplain: " Whether the oncoming of old age is the cause 1 cannot say, but it is the case that I grow more covetous of affection as the years pass, and yours is particularly valued." As many of the clergy and laity of his diocese would testify, Bishop Henson was a true Father in God. The fact that he could on occasion write severe letters to his clergy is not inconsistent with this. " What son is he whom the father chasteneth not 7 "—Yours faithfully,

[Janus writes: I entirely agree. The fact that I mentioned certain characteristics of Bishop Henson's Letters did not at all mean that 1 was insensible to others.]