Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Taught in School this morning and attended Choir practice but it was over just as I arrived. I had been detained and they left off 20 minutes earlier than usual.

Mr Davies called this evening.

I drove Mr Davies to Banbury on his way to Mold.

Paid £34.8.4 into London & County Bank at Banbury for my account at Oxford.

Drove Bell, Annie Martin and Frank to Shenington. Called on the Bride and Bridegroom Mrs and Mr Daniel Shelswell, who were much pleased to see us.

My mare had not been to that house since Mr Milburn had her at the least, and yet she remembered the way much better than I did – though I had been only once before – when I preached a Club sermon at Shenington some years ago.

Today I sent to Mr Frowde, Amen Corner, Publisher to the Clarendon Press, a portion of manuscript of “The Teaching of the Book of Common Prayer, Simplified, for the children of the Church, and illustrated from the Scriptures”, asking whether they would publish it on terms to be arranged. I had previously been in communication with Mr Frowde and received a letter from him asking me to send him a portion of the manuscript for examination.