Rain. Arthur Alder, late groom and Coachman to Dr Wilkinson called to ask whether I had heard of a situation for him. He has had nothing regularly to do since Dr W died. I advertised in “Church Times” for him. Walked round Pig & Whistle and Pound Lane this evening with Miss Sotteck, rather rainy, but little fell.
Wrote about three “Exchanges”. Sent Marriage Certificate to Marion Shelswell at her request. She is trying to get her son into the British Orphan Asylum at Slough. Called on Mrs Ainge, Miss Dix and Mrs Elly. Mr Elly is at Brighton.
Saint James’s day. Divine service at 9.15. Visited School. Gave out 16 Religious Knowledge prizes awarded by Rev C Adams, Diocesan Inspector, last spring. 93 children present. Inns spoke about ventilators in schoolroom.
Yesterday I received a letter from Wingate dated Deolali July 3. He writes about prospects of getting a “Living” on his retirement from his chaplaincy next March. I wrote to him today telling him that Cox would be leaving Hook Norton Rectory in about 6 weeks’ time and telling him that if he writes to the Bishop, which will probably be useless, he may refer to me.
Yesterday evening Miss Sotteck and I walked to Epwell and called on Miss Husband, the Schoolmistress who is leaving having been called on to resign by Mr Ramsay, the new Vicar of Swalcliffe in consequence of the very bad Report received from H.M.I. in the spring. She wanted my advice about her application for a pension from the Education Department. I recommended her to try to get another School for it may be some time before she gets a reply to her application. She is over 60 years of age and commenced School teaching in 1850. She appears to be unpopular at Epwell, and says Mr Trumper has been unkind, etc, etc, but I told her I could not listen to complaints against her clergy, etc. We got caught in the rain on our return.
I drove Bell, Rosa and Miss Sotteck to Swalcliffe. Bell and I called on Mr Ramsay at the Vicarage leaving Rosa and Miss Sotteck to call on Miss Dix and go into the church, we called on Miss Dix afterwards.
Visited Mary Sabin, Miss Sabin and Elizabeth Manning, Florence is better today.
A delightful summer day. I took Miss Sottick to Oxford to see the colleges, etc. Left, driving Ruby at 6.40 am arrived Banbury at 8. Left Banbury at 8.30 arrived Oxford 9.5. Saw Jackson at the Union. Left my ivory handled umbrella somewhere and appear to have lost it. Return from Oxford 5.27. Arrived Banbury, 6. Reached home 7.20. Ruby did her work extremely well.
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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.
