Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Rainy morning. At 2 pm I married Joseph Gibbs, of Hornton, to Elizabeth Thame, one of Miss Dix’s nieces. Dr Routh lent Miss Dix his covered wagonette which took Bell, Rosa and myself up to the Church and brought us (2) back to luncheon at Miss Dix’s, though Rosa and Frank walked home. Edward Golby was “best man” and handed me a complimentary fee. I was very cold at the Altar rails during the ceremony and shivered very much; for although there was a good fire in the Vestry and a fire in the Church, persons entering the Church left the West door open which rendered the fire useless, and I got all the benefit of the cold wind. In Miss Dix’s little dining room which was crowded with guests I sat with my back to the fire. Then, with some difficulty, I made a little speech proposing the health of the bride and bride-groom.

… We, ie Bell, Rosa, Frank, Bessie, with myself, had usual prayers and hymns at midnight and wished one another the Compliments of the Season.

Fine. The “Reading room” supper took place in the School room this evening. I did not go, but Frank did. He said nothing of the kind could have been better done. The Sibford people set a good example which Oxford undergrads would do well to follow in the conduct of their suppers and smoking concerts.

I awoke about 6 am with a wonderful heaviness about the left arm and apparently an inability to move it, except by lifting it with the right hand. I tried to get out of bed but could not. I called Bell, and found my voice very queer for a few minutes. I was perfectly sensible but there was a want of co-ordination between the brain and the vocal muscles. Bell got up and sent Frank for the doctor who was here by 7.15 am. I told him I feared it was an incipient stroke of paralysis. He did not say it was not, but said I made too much blood and ordered a mustard plaster at the back of the neck. He also gave me an aperient water as well as a draught and told me not to eat beef or mutton but only fish or white meat. The distressing symptoms had passed when he came, having lasted not half an hour. He said my blood vessels wanted “unloading”.