Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Bright. Cold. Windy. Heavy rain early this morning. Inns was working at overflow pipe of house cistern all morning but did not finish. He says it is choked and hard to get at.

xvi Trinity. Fine, bright, dry, windy, cool. Though the “Gospel tent” is open, there were 150 persons at church this morning. Bell and I called on Miss Dix after church this afternoon and had a cup of tea with her. Only Daisy was with her. Miss Sarah Dix and Louie are at Bournemouth. Mary Thame, who is housekeeper for Dr Routh played the organ this morning. Annie Inns played this afternoon.

Fine, beautiful harvest day. Not too hot. Mr Ramsay called this afternoon. I drove Bell to Shenington to tea with Marion as it is her birthday. Arthur (her brother) Mrs John Shelswell and Miss A Shelswell were all there. I visited the church and the Rectory where Mrs Dean and I saw Mrs Blythman only. W B was gone to see a Dentist at Leamington.

Very fine. Frank drove his mother to Banbury. Jane Holtom sent for her Clothing Club money. I hear she is going to marry again. Miss Shelswell called. Adeline Lamb came for poor rates instead of her brother William. The vicar of Shepley, Huddersfield proposes exchange. I reply that I don’t want to go north.

Very fine. Mr and Mrs Wyatt called this afternoon. Frank drove Miss Shelswell to Shenington. Rosa returned with Mrs John in pony carriage.

Splendid harvest weather continued ; bright, a little wind, not hot. Mrs Langley and 2 children not yet gone for holiday. She came out to me last night as I was passing and complained that my boy Hyde and two others had frightened them by knocking at her door and running away.

Longmans returned my MS this morning. (“Holiday Reminiscences”) with the usual polite note of refusal.

Last night, walking in Sibford Ferris, I met Joshua Lamb, who told me that Richard Keen, one of his Father’s labourers was ill. So I went to see him today. He was taken bad with an old complaint of heart disease on Monday night, but is somewhat better to day. He had a similar attack soon after his first wife died, when I first came to Sibford. He told me that then he took nearly half a gallon of brandy in one night. It had no effect on him except to help keep him alive.

Bell and I walked round by Pitch Hill and the Old Elm and back by Alcock’s Lane this evening.

Fine, but dull in afternoon. No rain. Bell and I called on Mrs John Shelswell. I wrote to Hughes and sent him cheque for balance due to him on account of a ACS. Cleared up halfyear’s account to June 30 last.