Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Received a letter this morning from Mrs Macgrath, 32 Colville Terrace, Bayswater, W., asking whether Miss E. Mann would be a suitable person to act as housekeeper etc in an establishment where boarders were received (not a school). I walked down to Blenheim and saw Mrs Mann and her daughter about the matter, and then wrote to the lady saying all I could in Miss Mann’s favour.

Drove Bell, Frank and Annie Martin to Banbury.

Rain.

Mr Davies called this afternoon. Received note from Dr Routh asking whether I would lend the School room for a Fair-trade Meeting on Friday next. I replied that the room would be at his disposal if he or some other suitable person would become responsible for any damage to the room or furniture.

John Adkins called with account for repairs to Vicarage roof etc £2.14.9, and paid me his allotment rent.

The Farm Committee consisting of Messrs Woolgrove, Hall and Page went over the farm with Bishop and Austin.

Mr Davies called this evening.

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.