Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

A very dark drive back from Sibford to Banbury. Hughes came to supper. We talked over the proof of Hecuba.

Rev Abraham Spencer, Curate of Steeple Aston, called.

Frank Coghlan, of Balliol, called this afternoon. Bell, Rosa and I went to Misses Hooper’s this evening.

Heavy rain this afternoon. Called on Hughes this evening.

To Sibford. Paid old John Harris for work in garden at Vicarage during vacancy, £4.14.5. Received rent of cottage from him £1.11.1 and for potatoes which he had sold 5/1.

Talked with Mr Hitchcox about new lamps for the church. The old moderators are useless. Also spoke about the timber belonging to Poulton carpenter, which encumbers the grass land in front of the church. Hitchcox said he would speak to the surveyor about it. He is way warden.

Hughes came this afternoon. I wrote to Rev Canon Payne, Vicar of Swalcliffe.

Bell and Rosa went to German Reed’s Entertainment this evening.

Called on Rev Taylor Taswell this evening.

Called at Jesus College this evening. Played whist with Hughes and other fellows.

Went to Swalcliffe on visit to Canon Payne. He met me at the Banbury Station.

Storm last night. Calm and mild this morning. Walked to Sibford this morning to services. Gave notice of service next Wednesday evening. Very heavy showers during the day. Walked back to Swalcliffe this evening.

Canon Payne lost his wife about the beginning of the year, and feels it very keenly. It seems impossible to get a smile out of him or to take interest in anything.

Walked from Swalcliffe to Sibford. Examined Loggin Allotments and spent an hour in the school. Walked back to Swalcliffe. After lunch Canon Payne drove me to Banbury and I returned to Oxford.

De Teissier asked for leave to go to London tomorrow till Saturday. Rosa and I called on Rev R F Heath and his sister and on the Misses Hooper. I afterwards called on Hughes at Jesus College.

A lady called about a French pupil, but nothing came of it. I drove to Sibford from Banbury taking new lamps for church with me, of the “Silver pattern”. It was very cold. Divine Service at 7pm. Special for God’s blessing on Missions. I preached ex tempore. The new lamps give a soft, diffused and pleasant light in the church. Received £4.5 from Miss Macmaster for examining her pupils’ exercises. Put up at Mrs Elley’s.