Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

A delightful morning and whole day. A letter received from Frank this morning written on Sunday night informed us that he was ill with quinsy and was under the care of Mr Sankey. So we made up our minds to go and see him. We drove Ruby and put her up at the Red Lion. We left Sibford at 12 by our church clock. We left Banbury at 1.24. Found that Frank was better and had gone out for a walk. We waited some time and were leaving the quad when we saw him in the Junior Common Room. It was then about 4 pm and getting intensely cold. He went back to his rooms with us, and then took us to the College Chapel to see the “Light of the World“. His tutor, Mr Jackson, who is much beloved by Frank and is extremely kind, brought the Chapel key and showed us the picture. Holman Hunt the artist had been there some time before and re-heightened some of the colours. We sent Frank back to his rooms and left Oxford at 5.27, arrived Banbury at 6, left at 6.30. Arrived Sibford at 8. A lovely night – bright moonlight. Ruby went quite gaily. Mrs Ainge had sent in 12 boltings of straw during my absence, entirely on her own responsibility saying it would be 6/-.

Bessie said she would lend Harry £50 to get out of his present scrape. She had not a cheque here but asked me to send one of my own and she would return the amount to me in a few days. I wrote to Harry, sent him the cheque and I.O.U. to sign and return. He is to pay this to Thomson & Co the furniture dealers of Barrow in Furness and agree to pay them £10 per quarter off the balance due and 5 per cent interest on balance due. I sent my cheque for £50.

Mr G. Hall called this morning and brought back Rent Rolls of Loggin Land. But 1894 and 1895 are missing. I therefore wrote to him about them.

Drove down to Swalcliffe with Rosa. Met Mr Ramsay and congratulated him on his engagement. He wants two school mistresses for Shutford, salary £85 and house. He finds 3 schools rather too much for one clergyman to manage.

Messrs Frederick Inns and D. Cluff wrote me a very proper letter asking for the use of the School-room for the “Sibford Dancing Society” and undertaking to be in every way responsible. I wrote reply.