Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

To Sandford by rail.

Holy Thursday. Drove Bell and Rosa to Sandford this evening and did all the duty.

Took W Evans, of Jesus, to Sandford.

Met Mr Chamberlain of Norwich at breakfast at the Clarendon. He said the Church of St John Maddermarket was vacant. It was in the gift of New College. Might he ask them to appoint me? I replied that it was kind of him, but it would not suit me to go there.

Bell went to Cheltenham, her mother being very ill.

Wrote to Mr Richardson, solicitor of Bristol, and sent present of book to his son. “Alice in Wonderland” and “Alice through the Looking Glass”. I did this as some return for what I thought Mr Richardson’s kindness in not charging me for what he did in the case of myself v. Bessell, for when I proposed to pay him he asked me not to mention it. I know him before as acting in W B Morgan’s ??? when I was one of his creditors and was made Trustee. He afterwards sent in his bill in which he showed great liberality to himself.

My “contract” pony cast a shoe as Harry was driving him from Ayers’s. So I had to hire another from the Lamb and Flag and paid 9/- for it. I was very late at church, but Lee suspected what had happened.

Called on Rev Mr Kitchen at Sandford Hill.

Bell returned from Cheltenham.

Commemoration, took Chamberlain. Lent Overend £5 to take his degree.

Overend, York-Powell, Fletcher and other friends took their B.A. today. Overend left for Ireland.

Paper Mill at Sandford burnt down. Dined at New College with Mr Lee and Mr Daniel.

Received letter from Mr Hutton, of Ward End Hall, asking terms. He has a son whom he wishes to be prepared for Queen’s.

Received letter from Mr Hutton, of Ward End Hall, Birmingham, saying he would pay me £50 to take his son for 3 months and prepare him for matriculation. Extra weeks to be in proportion.

Removed from 4 Park Terrace to “The ?Limes?”, Bradmore Road, Norham Manor, a quite new house. Only 2 or 3 houses in the road are completed and inhabited. The road has only recently been opened out.

Took my pupils and Harry, who is under home tuition at present, for a drive to Woodstock.

Attended clerical meeting at Mr Thomas’s Garsington rectory.

Chamberlain went home to Catton, Norwich.

Preached “club sermon” at Sandford and took all the duty. Rev R. W. M. Pope accompanied me. I did not stay to the club dinner, though I was invited, as the invitation was unexpected. William Hutton came as pupil.

Went to Sandford, school inspection by H.M.I. There was a concert in the schoolroom in the evening. I stayed, and drove home with Mr Lee.