Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited Mrs Pearce this morning. She retains her strength in a wonderful degree.

On Tuesday last I sent a revised inscription for tomb-stone to memory of James Barnes “erected as a token of public respect to the memory of James Barnes etc.”

Visited Dr Routh; gave him 27/- towards Job Harris’s expenses to Eastbourne convalescent home for three weeks. The charge is 10/- per week. The railway fare will be £1.3.6 3rd return. Dr Routh had collected 1/10/- and I thought it would be better to let the man have a shilling or two in his pocket.

I called at Job Harris’s, saw his wife and left with her the railway time-table – leave Banbury 11.23 am, arrive at Eastbourne at 6 pm.

Visited Misses Dix this evening with Bell, Rosa and Frank. Others were there.

Marion has sore throat. We sent her to the doctor.

Found Joseph Robinson, age about 11, criminally assaulting a girl age about 6, daughter of Joseph Dale. Boxed his ears soundly and frightened him with my horse whip; went to Dale’s and told the girl’s mother to let the father know. The boy’s mother, Widow Ann Robinson who has set her children a very bad example, having had two or three bastards since her husband’s death, was not at home.

I consulted Dr Routh about pains in my head. He said they were periosteic? rheumatism, recommended me to drink “Encore” whisky in preference to beer or wine, and to rub the head with some kind of liniment, camphor etc etc.

Harry Shelswell came to me this morning with his work. I lent him Henry’s First Latin Book to work the exercises.

Visited Mrs Pearce whom I found much weaker than yesterday.

Visited Sally Green and the School. Spoke to Boy Robinson privately about his bad conduct yesterday. He said a girl named Hillman, who he said had gone to a “Conformity” and who does not belong to Sibford but came to visit her grandmother David Hone’s wife a few months ago, taught him “quomodo id facere” – other children looking on. He said his mother beat him naked last night after Mrs. Dale went and complained to her. I spoke in School very strongly about boys being rude to girls, and about girls tolerating such conduct.

I learnt that Miss Somerton had collected from old scholars of Miss Bates who keeps a small private school at Swalcliffe the sum of £50 which she was gone to present to her this afternoon.

Rain this morning, thunder-storm this afternoon.

Mr Maclean went with Dr Routh to play in a cricket match at Swerford.

Visited Mrs Pearce, Mrs Bond and Mary Wilks.

Very wet, and congregations very small in consequence. Visited Mrs Pearce after Church this morning.

Visited Mrs Pearce. Miss Dix assisted with Penny Bank. Drove Bell round Epwell, Shutford, Tadmarton and Swalcliffe this evening.