Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

R. Austin called this morning and said there was a talk in the village to the effect that I was going to send a surveyor over the farm and make him pay for bad farming etc. I told him I knew nothing of it; but that I was making arrangements for the Farm Committee to go over the farm and report to me any matter to which they desired to draw my attention.

Drove Bell to Chipping Norton to meet her sister Bessie. She arrived at 11.30 and left at 4.15. It rained nearly all day. We put up at the White Hart?, the best hotel in the place – dined; and sat there till it was time to return. We saw her down to the station but did not wait for her train as it was raining and wanted to get home before dark.

Taught in School.

Visited Eliza Lamb.

Bell and I visited Mrs Morris, George Hone, Thomas Green and Thomas Holland.

Preached Harvest festival Sermon at Swalcliffe. Mr Davies and myself dined with Canon Payne – but he was not well enough to attend the service. We drove down, but walked home.

Wet morning, which prevented my going to the School Attendance Committee at Banbury.

I sent letters to Mr Woolgrove, Mr Mann, Mr Hall and Mr Page, the members of the Farm Committee a day or two ago asking them whether next Wednesday Oct 14 would suit them to go over the farm. Mr Mann sent a note this morning begging to resign his position as a member of the Farm Committee, as he considered his assistance was not required.

I called on Mr Woolgrove this evening and told him of Mr Mann’s resignation, showing him the letter. He was naturally very much surprised.

Mr and Mrs Woolgrove told me that it seemed certain that my conjecture as to the origin of the scandal re E. M. et infantis was correct. She appears to have gone to stay, in what capacity I do not know, with some young married lady who has just been confined. E. M. is much attached to the baby and in writing home calls it “my baby-boy”. Either a postcard or a letter fell into the hands or was heard by a servant “Hinc illae lachrymae.”

At School all afternoon. Visited Anna Aris who tells me that her graceless grandson is lodging with Ellen Hone, her paramour and her two boys in the wretched hole which she calls her home and which is scarcely fit for a pig to live in.

Miss Dix called this evening, and I gave her 14/- for Sunday School girls who belong to the Clothing Club.

Miss Dix paid me £1.1 for Memorial Cross erected by her cousin, Miss Matilda Dix, of Brighton on Emma Horsman’s grave.

Mary Thame called with Miss Dix.

Mr and Mrs Davies also called this evening.