Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Wrote to Rev. H. Powell, St Paul’s House, St Leonards, offering him £360 for his goodwill of school but declining to pay anything for Lease as there were only some 3 years to run – and at the end of that time I might have to spend one or two hundred pounds on repairs. The agents told me at first that there were 18 pupils at from £80 to £150 and that Mr Powell asked £500 for goodwill, nothing being said about lease. The £360 I offer today is the same proportion of £500 as the reality of his income (£1100) bears to the stated income. I offer to pay for School furniture and fixtures at valuation.

Visited Hannah Keen, also Mrs John Manning, Sibford Ferris hill, who fell down last Sunday morning and broke her leg. She is going on satisfactorily.

Met William Golden, carrier, of Sibford Ferris, who told me he would come up in a few evenings and pay me rent in advance for 2 Sibford Ferris Allotments certain, if I would let them to him.

Went to Oxford, stayed with Mr Hughes at Jesus College. Walked with him this afternoon along the parks, then down St Aldates, along the towing path to Iffley and home by the road.

Met Mrs Wilson and Herbert Jackson. Also Mr Izatt and went with him to New College Chapel, saw the Warden and shook hands with him.

Met F. York Powell.

Visited the Pusey Library and chapel – and was much disappointed with the building. The Library is not open. I think some special building should have been erected – the present, which is an ordinary house – two or three rooms upstairs being turned into a chapel – is entirely unworthy of the object. I suppose that the bulk of the money subscribed has been invested as an endowment to provide salaries for the Librarians.

I left Jesus College – but missing the train I purposed going by and not liking the walk from Banbury to Sibford in the dark and possibly rain, put up at the Temperance Hotel. It was cheap and fairly clean, but of the “working man” style which I did not care for. The bed seemed damp and I consequently had a restless night.

Returned to Sibford but previous to doing so visited the Taylor & Randolph galleries.

Taught in Boys’ School this morning and attended Choir practice this evening.

Visited Mr George Dix who gets increasingly deaf, so that it is extremely difficult to carry on conversation with him.

Visited School, John Horseman and Mr and Mrs Spraggett.

Visited Canon Payne – he was ill in bed with bronchitis and I did not see him.

Visited C. Holder.

Miss Dix called this evening.

Attended Committee of Brass Band at the practice room at 7.30.