Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

T. E. Summerton, a young man, son of a baker at Grimsbury begins his business as Grocer and Baker today in the premises formerly occupied by William Brown.

A lady at Brighton to whom Harry had written enquiring about a tutorship sent him two telegrams today asking him to meet her in London and to go down to Brighton and offering him £20 or £25 a year. I had to pay 1/6 for each telegram for porterage.

Visited Rev Canon Payne and Mr Robertson at Swalcliffe. Took tea with the latter. Bell walked down with Frank at about 7 o’clock and we walked home together. The Robertsons are leaving Swalcliffe at the end of the month to reside in Gloucestershire.

I have Thomas Adkins and Austin Hillman working on the roof of the Vicarage repairing slates and pointing up generally under John Adkins. They will make a week or ten days job of it. But it wanted doing, and I gave orders that it should be done with cement and lime.

Widow Humphrey Sabin came and told me the Doctor said her boy was not fit to be removed to the Infirmary.

Sent advertisement for Pupils to the Times, though so many of my other £2 advertisements (10 at 4/-) have been failures, I have not very much hope of this.

Sale by auction of late William Brown’s effects. Fetched very low prices. I saw in the few moments I looked on Lewis Poulton buy an eight-day long case clock for 1/6.

Drove Bell and Harry round Winderton and Brailes.

Mr and Mrs Davies called this evening. He and I went for a walk.

Rather unwell. Did not go out all day.

Sent advertisement to Times as follows 5 at 8/-

TO ECCLESIASTICAL PATRONS, &c.—An experienced and successful vicar desires to meet with a larger and more remunerative sphere of duty than his present benefice affords. He is a graduate, a sound Churchman, and a good reader. Is married, robust and active, and about 50 years of age. He can intone and preach extempore, and can refer with confidence to his present bishop, patrons, and neighbours. Address, by letter only, Rev. X. Y. Z., 4, Clephane Road, Canonbury, London, N.

having previously asked Aunt Emma to receive and forward replies. The advertisement appeared 5 times. I got no reply except from touting advertisement contractors etc – and one from a gentleman directing my attention to an advertisement for Rector for a High School in New Zealand; which however I answered politely, as it was evidently well-meant.