Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Received a letter from the warden of New College telling me that the College appointed me to the Vicarage of Sibford yesterday. Mr Bourchier, lately Vicar of Sibford called this morning and asked me to see him in College this evening. When I went I had great difficulty in finding him. Having accomplished this — he was with Dickins in an undergrad’s rooms, he seemed to have nothing to say except a platitude about “those few sheep in the wilderness” etc and, I thought, treated me in as cool and insulting a manner as I ever experienced. Mihi stultissimus magnus videtur.

Mr Smith, Curate of Marston, called this afternoon.

Went to Mongewell Park this Monday on the invitation of Mr and Mrs Fraser. John C Fraser and de Teissier accompanied me. Mr Johns and his son Wilfred called just as we were leaving.

Mrs Fraser, in carriage and pair, drove John , myself and de Teissier to Dorchester where she (a Belgian lady) attended the Roman Catholic Chapel. We went to the Abbey Church.

In the evening we went to St Mary’s, Abingdon.

I returned from Mongewell to Oxford, via Didcot to which I was driven by Mr Fraser’s coachman in a dog-cart. John Fraser and Georges de Teissier remained behind till Tuesday.

Hawker Hughes came to dinner this evening.

Rosa returned from Ryde. Fraser and de Teissier returned.

Went to Sibford. Thomas Braddell accompanied me. Called on Mr Montagu Payne, locum tenens, who lodges at the school-house. He accompanied to call on Mr Hitchcox and Mr Woolgrove, churchwardens, and Mr Mawle, one of the Trustees of the Charity Estates.

I brought home some apples and walnuts from the Vicarage orchard.

Fraser went to Mongewell till Monday.

My birthday, age 42. Thomas Braddell went to Mongewell Park on a visit to Mr Fraser. Called at New College this evening to see Mr Lee, but he was in chapel.

Got address of College lawyer, W C Lawrence, Cirencester.

Went to Banbury (for Sibford) and put up at the “White Lion”.

Drove over to Sibford this morning, and took the duty in Church for the first time, having told Mr Payne that I should not require his services after last Sunday.

J Braddell returned from Mongewell, bringing notes from Mr Fraser Senior and Fraser Junior saying that the latter wishes to stay at home with his brother and sister for the week. I replied.

Received “Instrument of Presentation” to Sibford Vicarage from Mr Lawrence of Cirencester, through Mr Lee. The Bill, including stamp is £7.10. Called on Mr Lee at the Bursary, also at his house, where I saw Mrs Lee.

Sent to Mr Lawrence, the College Steward cheque for £7.10, for Instrument of Presentation and Stamp.

Went to Sandford. Paid some farewell calls and brought away my surplice etc.