Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Left for Brighton taking with me Bell, Rosa, Harry, Frank, Mrs Elley, Jane Messenger and Marion Harris. Harry left us at Victoria to visit Mr Crowther Smith at Sutton. We arrived at 30 Medina Villas, Cliftonville, about 7pm from Victoria, via Horsham – found Mr Maclean awaiting us there – the servants having left the keys with him. The gas meter stood at 10½ ; 6 ; 3.

Before I left home Mr Hiorns called about farm. I embodied what he said in a note to Canon Payne and sent him the draft lease.

Sent Lands Improvement Company £9.4.11 being 37th instalment. Harry came from Sutton.

Sent telegram to Rev J Hodgson Vicar of Bloxham asking if he could let his curate take my duty for me on Sunday next. Replied that he was away. Ultimately arranged that Mr Cave should take duty at Sibford on Sunday 28th inst.

Went home to Sibford. Mr Kirkland came to Brighton for Michaelmas term.

Visited Mrs Pearce and Mrs Mawle. Dined with Misses Dix and took tea with them. Drove to Winderton this evening to preach for Atkinson, Mr Smith being in Switzerland.

Routh sent me some Bromide of Potassium for headache from which I have been suffering.

Returned to Brighton, calling on Canon Payne on the way to Banbury to speak with him about lease of farm – Dr Routh came there. We decided to refer disputed points to Mr Fortescue the Solicitor of Banbury and to ask Mr Hiorns to call and see him.

St Michael’s in morning. Trinity, Hove in evening.

Mr Cave, curate of Bloxham, took duty at Sibford. Mr Woolgrove entertained him at early dinner.

Maclean and Harry’s quarrel about leaving door of study open – Harry was very much to blame for not apologising when he left door open at first accidentally. Had he done so instead of resenting Maclean’s demand to “shut that door please” by setting it open a second time purposely and then removing the key – there would have been no unseemly quarrel. Maclean was very much put out and spoke to me in such a way as made it necessary for me to call him to order. It all occurred in my absence – but Maclean told me of it after dinner announcing that he could not stay in the house where my son was any longer – and that he could not return to my house even if he did not pass his examination. He apologized when I told him it was not the thing for a pupil to threaten his tutor in that way.

Kirkland told me today that he would not return to Sibford after Christmas.

Mr Elley collects the Loggin Rents for me tonight.