Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1885, October 17, Saturday 

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.

1885, October 18, Sunday 

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.

1885, October 19, Monday

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.

1885, October 20, Tuesday

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.

1885, October 21, Wednesday 

Visited School and taught.

Visited Eliza Lamb. Miss Dix and Mrs Davies called.

Received a note from Canon Payne, saying that owing to the ill health of Mrs Line, his coachman’s wife, he had been compelled to forbid her taking on any other persons’ washing. She has done ours exceedingly well ever since we have been here; but seems to have lately extended her business in that way, and as I have heard a number of times, taken to drink. Canon Payne’s resolve puts us to great inconvenience, as we cannot get another laundress in the neighbourhood.

1885, October 22, Thursday

Harry, being very unwell with a bad cold and generally out of sorts, I sent for Routh to see him. He says he has a slight attack of erysipelas in right eye and congestion of liver.

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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.