Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Frank this evening expressed a great desire to go on the Stage. He thinks it his avocation and that he would rise to the top of the profession.

Very bright and frosty. Frank and I drove round Bilberry, Epwell and The Pig and Whistle. The mare went as well as ever she did in her life. Wrote to Skeffington & Sons about publication of “Stories and Sketches from a Vicar’s diary“, and sent them the MS. of “Rob Wilder”.

Received letter, very depressing from Skeffington & Son returning MS. of “Rob Wilder” which they described as “Well and interestingly written”. The gist of their communication was that if published at 1/- it would take 2000 copies to pay first cost, and that it was too late for the Autumn Season.

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Received £9. 18. 10 from Longmans for year ending Midsummer last. I used to get £400 to £500. My expenses increase, in spite.of all care – and my income diminishes wofully.

Visited John Lamb Junior to condole with him and his sister Annie on the death of his wife. Her mother (Mrs Barton) was there. I read & prayed with them, then took John outside and gave him 10/— to help him with his expenses, which must have been heavy. He was very much cut up , but seemed very grateful.

I afterwards called on Mrs Cassell who is about to be confined. I gave her 2/- towards paying the doctor’s 10/6. The other 10/6 is paid by a provident club to which she and her husband belong.

Called at Jewell’s and ordered grocery parcels (40) same contents as last year.

Ordered coal from Banbury at 28/6 delivered to Sibford.

Coal distribution.

Frank wrote to Miss Thomson, 29 Brunswick Road Brighton about a junior tutorship in her School, notice of which was sent by Scholastic Association, 8 Lancaster Place, Strand, J. R. Beevor, M. A., Secretary.

This is the 50th anniversary of my dear mother’s death. She died at 3?? Little?? Coleman Street in the house of my grandmother and grandfather Howe (her parents) December 18, 1843, aged 37, and was buried on the 22nd December in St Margaret’s Churchyard Ipswich next to her brother Richard whom I never saw, to my knowledge, and who died at the early age of 18.