Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

The clothing distribution for the Town Estate took place today.

St Stephen’s day. Divine Service at 11 a.m. Children’s Entertainment to public in Schoolroom at 7 this evening. “Christy Minstrels“, “Recitations” and a Cantata called “Santa Claus”.

The Singing was good, but the recitations were imperfectly known and said in some cases without any expression whilst “poor letter H” was much abused. Mrs Langley had taken great pains with the singing, but had stopped there.

Mr Platt, a friend and visitor of Dr Routh’s (per Mr Oddie) invited all the school children over 6 to a tea and entertainment at the Friends‘ School, Sibford Ferris at 4 pm on Friday.

Library Committee Meeting at the schoolroom to arrange for annual tea meeting and entertainment.

Bell, Rosa, Frank and I went to Mr Oddie‘s, The Friends’ School to a tea and entertainment given by Mr Platt a Druggist’s traveller, a very pleasant and gentlemanly man, who has known Sibford for some twenty years or more, but who broke down with overwork a few weeks ago and is staying at Dr Routh’s for the benefit of his health. There were 104 children present from my School and Miss Shemeld’s, and about a dozen poor old folk and some others. After tea a Magic-lantern Exhibition was attempted with the Lime light, which however, on account of some defect in the gas bags, was quite unsuccessful. All then returned to the large Schoolroom where Frank sang “My Dear old Dutch”, a Coster Song of Albert Chevallier’s, in character very well made up, and some other songs. To wile away the time I got the children to sing some songs and recite. Septimus Harris and another or two also sang, at Mr Oddie’s request. The party broke up at about 9.30.

Bell rubbed my back well with whiskey last night and this morning, and it is somewhat better in consequence.