Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Fine bright day. Frosty. Drove Bell and Frank to Banbury. Took Burdon. Horse nearly fell at bottom of Pitch Hill and got up “Long hedge” with difficulty. So I stopped at Swalcliffe and had some “frost nails” put in her shoes, after which she went better.

From Banbury we drove to Wigginton to the re-opening of the church after restoration. We were too late for the commencement of the service, though we were not much behind, about 2.35 instead of 2.30. The Bishop of Oxford preached. He is beginning to look very old – but his voice is firm. We had tea in schoolroom afterwards, and then returned home, not caring to stay for the evening service owing to the cold and the slippery condition of the roads.

There has been a heavy snow storm in North Wales and Scotland.

Letter pasted into diary

Received Dec 2 1886

21 The Butts
Warwick

Sir

I hope you wont think I have taken to great a liberty in writing a few lines to you to ask you if you would be so kind as to give me and my wife a Testimonial as we are trying to obtain this situation as I have sent you the advertisement the cooking is very plain and I feel sure I can manage it would you be so kind as to speak particularly as to cleanleness as that is one of the chief things the solicitor tell us if you would be kind enough to grant me this favour I should feel greatly obliged thanking you and Mrs Stevens for your past favours bestowed upon us

I beg to remain your
Humble Servant
William Line
late of Swalcliffe Lodge

PS please send it to me as I may send it in with my application.

I replied to the effect that I was sorry to learn, and to know that they had given way to intemperance at Swalcliffe, and said that if they would “sign the pledge” which I sent them I would write a favourable testimonial. I have not yet (Dec 30) received any reply.

Bright and frosty.

Visited David Hone, Sally Lines, Mrs Shelswell.

Taught in school this afternoon.

Miss Dix called this evening and paid me as Treasurer of the Town Estates £1:15 which she owed Elijah Hancox for butter etc. I gave her a receipt for it and an undertaking, on the part of the Trustees, to repay it whenever she called on me to do so.

Visited Joseph Green.; Coles, Sibford Ferris whom I found better. He was up last Sunday and has been down every day since though his daughter told me last Saturday? that Doctor gave little hopes of any permanent improvement but said he might “patch him up for a bit.”