Just a few lines, darling, to let thee know how this interesting day passed.

I was greeted by old Sir John Brigg, the father of J.J., as I journeyed down to breakfast in the lift and he was most kind and anxious to do anything to help a new member. I breakfasted with Bevan James and advised him to definitely close with the Whiteway offer which evidently is better than anything he can expect to make in York. Then I went off to St James Court and found three very nice furnished sunny rooms which I am quite inclined to engage for 4½ A guineas per week. […] I went off to the ‘Nation’ meeting and was glad there to meet Ted. Nothing very special — circulation happily increasing but fear we have a somewhat costly action to settle through an unwise article of Archer's. I then had half an hour with Parke and a hasty lunch with Ted at the NLC along with the Nation writers.

Thank thee darling for thy letter I am so glad to know thou art feeling better but hope that thou willst take things quietly these next few days.

The old doubts of last year are ever more rising up – this indefinite life oppresses me despite its great interest. Last night the debate was poor. Balfour was very clever over Winston [and] the photographer and later in the evening Ramsay MacDonald was good. This afternoon the mixed marriage case (McCann) has been cleverly exposed by Devlin as simply a political dodge and there seems little left of the scandal which has been worked by the Orangemen so much. The morning I spent at the office and with Parke and then lunched with the Nation contributors.

The house is ‘up’ darling — I am shortly going off to the Reform Club with Dr Addison for dinner and then I shall go on to the ‘Miracle’.

Asquith was wonderful today and there is little left of Bonar Law. All he says about Germany is most encouraging, and the way in which he drew from him what he meant with respect to the Insurance Bill is of course splendid material for liberals. All our men are very happy over the turn of events and the Govt will do well to force the Tories to make good their charge of corruption. The Tories are now wanting ‘a new leader’.

Maurice Whitlow wanted to see me about Home Mission matters and so as I badly wanted exercise, I took him on a walk in the morning in the park. I then went to G.N. [ewman]'s to lunch to meet Barbara [McKenzie] – then to a Centenary Peace Committee with Earl Grey in the chair – then heard Balfour and Asquith at the house. A.J.B.[alfour] very poor; Asquith admirable.5 Returned here to write […] – I think Gillman will have the card for the Sheriff's dance – please ask him for it. I should think we should 90 for about an hour about 10 pm. Talk – drink coffee – smile and then, when I see thee looking bored, come away.

I came out with G.N. [ewman] last night. Thy friend Janet [Campbell] was at dinner and afterwards G.N. [ewman] talked about his own position at the Board (of Education). I think it is pretty clear now that he will refuse the insurance post as the PM wants him to stay at the B. of E. and he will get a larger salary and a freer hand. […] I hope thou art having a good time with Barbara, darling. G.N. and Ada [Newman] are very sorry not to have thee here. After tea we shall continue our talk — if we promulgated all we agree to three would be a Quaker Kikuyu!

If thou hast seen the D. News today read Gardiner's article on the Crown Prince.

I am quite hoping, darling, to reach York tomorrow evening at 6.30. We have had an interesting Ambulance Committee and decided to go ahead with a hospital for Typhoid cases of which there are at present in Dunkirk over 4000, receiving hardly any medical attendance.

All the reports of the work being done are excellent and the PM amongst others is anxious the Friends should undertake the work.

On the ‘fateful day’, 5 January 1916, Asquith introduced the first National Service Bill or ‘Bachelors Bill’. It conscripted all single men (and widowers without dependent children) aged 18 to 41, apart from those that local tribunals exempted on grounds of ‘work of national importance’, hardship to their families or businesses, ill health, or conscientious objection to war. Sir John Simon resigned as Home Secretary rather than accept the bill and it was condemned by a special Labour Conference on 6 January. On the First Reading the same day, the Bill was opposed by 105 MPs. For Asquith and Simon's speeches see Hansard, 5th series, 1916, LXXVII, 949–962 and 962–978. But despite this opposition, the bill had overwhelming political support and it was law by the end of the month.

I have had a very full day, darling. Breakfast with Scebohm [Rowntree] and Bowes [Morrell] to discuss new Cadbury Fry agreement.

Meeting with Angell and Harold Wright regarding the future of ‘War and Peace’.

FAU Executive. Lunch with Little.

FAU Committee.

Friend Proprietors gathering including conference with J.E. Hodgkin and Marian Ellis.

I had a comfortable journey yesterday, darling, when once we got started! Arriving in London at 9 instead of 7.30, I went then to see Sally [Cross] and her family and found them all well and bright. Dorothy was just off for a night at the Canteen — Margaret [Rowntree] is to be married on Tuesday at the Scarbro Meeting House at 11.20. Sally fears from the letters she is receiving that Con [Rowntree] feels the strain of all the arrangements. This morning I spent some time at the Nation office with Bonwick & Massingham.