Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Took Bible Class in School from  9 – 10 this morning.

William Reason of Sibford Ferris died last night, age 68.

Dr. Routh delivered lecture on Astronomy in School which I illustrated with Magic Lantern lent to me by Mr. Hurst of Linden House, Littlemore, Nr. Oxford. The proceeds  17/6 are to be devoted to a fund for purchase of lamps for public meetings in Schoolroom.

Lewis Poulton spoke about raising of school-fees to Mechanics etc rather prematurely seeing that his only child is only a few weeks old. Talked about hardship, free school, the duty of Trustees to help those who were “trying to keep off the Parish”; he did not get any of the “Charity” and therefore ought not to have to pay 3d. a week for his child’s education.

I told him he ought to have more self-respect than to talk that way, that he was bound to provide Education for his children as well as food and raiment; that the cost of education in the School was a great deal more than he was asked to pay for it.

It is sad to see how even many of the better sort of men here have been pauperised by the existence of the Charity and how ignorant and selfish they are in the matter. I reminded him  that he expected to be well paid, and was well paid for all the work he did for the School, the farmers, myself etc and he had no right to expect us to pay entirely for the cost of his child’s education – etc etc. They all seem to think that the funds of the Charity can be made to do anything and everything.

Gave Lecture on the Instinct of Animals this evening and exhibited Magic Lantern.  Owing to the season, I presume, and another lecture last week, not many were present and only 9/6 was taken.

Intensely cold today. I counted the Congregation in the morning because it seemed rather small, but there were 115 present, all told. In the afternoon there were, as far as I could see, 165.

Attended Boys’ and Girls’ Sunday School this afternoon. 23 boys and 25 girls were present.

Henry Bishop called and asked whether I could speak to some of the “rich” people in Sibford and get a subscription up for him to relieve him in some measure from embarrassment caused by the death of his cow worth £20. He lost one about four years ago in a similar manner. I told him I would give him £1 but that I did not think he would be able to get anything considerable from the parishioners as they had so recently subscribed for a horse for Henry Lines. But I promised to see what could be done.