Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Received note from Routh to effect that the Fair trade Meeting would not take place as proposed; the lecturer being ill.

Bell and I visited Widow Thomas Manning, Hannah Keene, Dr and Mrs Routh (out), Ann Fox (out), Ezra Green (out).

Mr. Oddie called this evening and said he had been requested by the Radical Party, at the suggestion of Sir. B. Samuelson, to ask me to take the Chair at the Radical Meeting in the Schoolroom next Monday and invited me to meet Sir B. at his house for a cup of tea before the meeting.

I replied, and afterwards wrote note to the effect that whilst I thanked them for the honour intended, I could not consistently accept their invitation, adding that I was firmly opposed to the Radical programme in several important particulars and if these were alluded to in my presence I should feel it incumbent on me to speak my mind about them which might cause unpleasantness. Also that I thought it better that each party should have its own innings without interruption from the other.

Fine day.

Mr Woolgrove called about the Inspection of the farm which the Committee made yesterday. Said it was in much better condition of cultivation than when Austin and Bishop took to it; but that Bishop refused to pay Austin’s valuation. Afterwards he had agreed to appoint a Surveyor to meet Austin’s but yesterday told Mr W. he had altered his mind.

Mr Woolgrove was of opinion that the sooner we got rid of Bishop the better. He says he does not farm so well as Austin and is very disagreeable in his manner. I showed Mr Woolgrove the notes from Mr Orridge and Mr Fowler saying they would be sureties for the rent, which Mr Woolgrove thought would be sufficient.

I wrote to Bishop and reminded him that he had not sent the draft agreement as he had promised to do; but he has taken no notice of my request.

This afternoon I drove to Swalcliffe and called on Mr Page and Mr Hall. They thought there was no need to summon a meeting of the Trustees, as the dispute between Bishop and Austin did not affect us. I afterwards saw Dr Routh and Mr Woolgrove. They both agreed that we could take no action at present.

Mr Davies and I walked to Epwell and called on Mr Willy; hardly from choice but from a sort of conventional necessity. We went into the house and also into the Church, and were not at all delighted. Mr Page, the Churchwarden seeing us in the Church came across to ask whether anything was amiss. He was quite pleasant, and after a short conversation we left.

Took rent of the Heath allotments at the Schoolroom this evening: Mr Elley assisting as usual.