Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Bright, but windy and cool.

Taught in Boys’ School this morning.

Visited Ezra Green. The little boy, age about 7 who is ill looked so dreadfully dirty and neglected that I felt it my duty to reprimand the mother very severely. I told her to get some warm water and wash him for his neck looked as though it had not been washed for two or three weeks and the bosom of his shirt was wet and soiled with linseed. I told her that no such woebegone, neglected, ragged half-starved looking children as hers were to be seen anywhere else in the parish – and that if this one died she would have his death upon her conscience that she had contributed to it by her neglect. I told her also about her gossiping habits, and reminded her that her husband got better wages than most of the working men and that he did not spend them in drink.

Visited Mrs Shelswell, Miss Dix, Mr W. Fox.

Attended Choir practice this evening.

Cold, windy and showery.

School opened and continued with 60 children.

Took choir children to Edge Hill to tea in two wagonettes driven by Austin Gardner and his son William. Miss M. Dix undertook arrangements. Miss Dix was also of the party.

I drove Bell, Frank and Webb. We got back about 8.15.

Sent text of Grammatical Notes of Latin-English Vergil to Hughes.

Jesse Bishop called and paid me his rent for Sibford Heath Farm to Michaelmas next.

Very cool and showery. Visited School.

Buried Ezra Green’s child Ada Susannah, aged 2 years.

Visited Widow Wyatt, Ann Wyatt, Phoebe Payne, David Hone senior, the Misses Dix and Dr Routh.

Robert Austin and George Harris called to pay rent.

Gave Miss M. Dix 5/- towards expenses yesterday and paid her 3/- for our tea tickets at 9d each. Gave Dr Routh 10/- towards expenses of the Tea on Club day.

St John Baptist’s Day. Divine Service at 9.15.

Visited Ezra Green’s at 9.50. His wife was not up, but she called to me from her bedroom that the little boy was “a lot better.”

It is 10 years ago today since we came to live out here.

We carried Rosa down into the garden today. The first time she has been down stairs since last Michaelmas. Webb, Elley and self carried her down and up today.

Rain all afternoon and evening, after a heavy fog or blight.

Rain and cold.

Received letter from Aunt Emma. Also one from Harry giving an interesting and well-written account of his escape up some steep cliffs when cut off from returning the way he had walked along the beach at Combe Martin by the rising of the tide.

Fine, bright, breezy day.

Visited Joshua Lines, Richard Haines and Hannah Keen.

Walked to Brailes this evening to take some Fourshire Books. Bell accompanied me. We didn’t call at the Vicarage, as it was too late.