Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Intensely hot. Did not drive out. Walked up to the Hellidon windmill in the evening. It is distant some 22 miles from Sibford Heath, at the least, and yet can be readily seen I am told with the naked eye from the latter place. From this hill the Malvern hills can be seen and the country far beyond Rugby which appears in the half distance. And I suppose Swalcliffe Hill and Sibford Heath can be seen but there was nothing by which I could recognise either, as it was rather hazy towards the west.

In the evening we attended a political meeting at the Schoolroom in support of Sir Raynald Knightley the Conservative Candidate for South Northamptonshire in the forthcoming general Election. He has represented the County for many years and seems likely to get in. There were two speakers from Northampton, viz a Mr Ellin, a Solicitor’s Clerk, and Mr Abrahams, a working shoemaker. Mr Knightley, nephew and presumptive heir of Sir Raynald, occupied the Chair. Sir Raynald was not present. The other speakers were Captain Bacchus of Hellidon, Mr Woodman ov Catesby, Mr Davies and myself. It was a very quiet and pleasant meeting, about 60 being present. Mr Knightley and Mrs Knightley took refreshment at the Vicarage after the meeting.

We heard this morning from one of Mr Davies’s servants whose friends live at Swalcliffe that Canon Payne died on Wednesday.

Mr Davies and I drove to Byfield this morning. I went into the Church which is a very large and fine one with a remarkably good East Window of immense proportions, and perpendicular in style put in a year ago. I met the Rector Mr Curgenven in the Churchyard. We got into conversation, and I introduced him, after a fashion, to Mr Davies, who was standing by Ruby outside. Mr Curgenven apologised to Davies for not having called on him owing to his wife’s illness.

We drove through Charwelton on our return,. It is a pretty and well-wooded place, with a good deal of water about, where the River Cherwell rises, and is probably not very healthy. The heat was intense.