Recalls his first meeting with JB 70 years ago in 1778 (actually 1779 according to the Record), when he entered Mother Clapham's house; describes his feelings of apprehension. The elm trees in Dean's yard have been cut down to widen the carriageway between the entrance and the Deanery; he does not approve. Likewise, the screens separating choir from aisles in the Abbey have been removed to enable a larger congregation to sit in Poets' Corner - pointless, since one can neither see nor hear from that position. The Irish rebellion is reviving in the wake of the potato famine. Wonders whether JB took up his living in 1786 or 1787 (1797 according to the Record). Commercial benefits of the railroads - but they have spoiled the countryside. The sale at Stowe (see 49) is raising large sums - but a drop in the ocean compared with the 2 million pounds the duke is said to owe. He borrowed £20,000 just to entertain the Queen. Suspects that at the upcoming trial of Smith O'Brien his counsel will plead insanity, which the government will accept to avoid further trouble.

Has heard that the author of the epilogue was one Randolph OW (according to Lusus Alteri it was T. Littlehales). On Liddell's change of Latin grammar (see 16 1nd 34). 130 pupils in the school - 2 ushers for the Upper School, and none for the Lower (presided over by the Under Master - but there are only 8 boys in it). A rudimentary central heating pipe has been installed Up School. Only one boarding house in Dean's Yard now (Scott's), and two in Little Dean's Yard where Grant's and Morel's used to be. In College stoves have replaced fires - only used for sleeping, the boys being confined during the lock-up hours in a long room beneath the dormitory. Breakfast at 9, dinner at 2 (used to be 12) and supper at 8. In the Abbey the celebrant's reading desk and pulpit has been sited at the corner of Poets' Corner nearest to the cloisters, so that he can view the congregation both in the transept and in the choir (see 49). An idea had been put forward to unite Westminster and Harrow, using the site of the latter; the low-lying site of Westminster is most unhealthy - the slope towards the river is not enough to carry away the filth from the drains. Tothill Street (see 24) being improved to be a handsome road from Buckingham House to the Abbey.

Lumbago better yet - he can rise from his bed. Dean Buckland has lost his reason, the third such they know; Dean Turton did so before him, the father-in-law of their old schoolfellow Yates (Joseph Yates - Thomas Turton was in fact his step-father), and Dean Vincent as well. The Tothill Fields they knew is gone , along with the dirty lake in the centre - instead magnificent squares and elegant villas are springing up (presumably the developments of Thomas Cubitt). Does the railroad benefit or injure the comforts of JB's neighbourhood?

Has finally been able to come downstairs after his lumbago. The French are so used to revolution that very little surprises them - things which would horrify an Englishman. On the case brought by George Cornelius Gorham against the Bishop of Exeter, on being refused preferment. Sad to see the progress which Roman Catholics are making in England. On the neglect in the education of young men at the universities - they are too old at 17 or 18, as opposed to 10-12 years old in their young day. Dean Buckland is ill (see 73) in the parish of Islip (as was Vincent - the living belongs to Westminster Abbey).

This collection contains a variety of material relating to the School’s religious services, primarily focused on Westminster Abbey. There are orders of service from the annual School services held at the Abbey, as well as further material from Abbey events that were often attended by the School, although did not feature it in any prominent way. Finally there is a subsection for Funerals and Memorials, containing orders of service for people related to the School or the Abbey. Many, but not all, of these services were held in Westminster Abbey.

Material generated through the School's events in or relationship with the Abbey, including annual services, weekly Abbey talks, and one-off events. Some items are also included by merit of their religious themes, such as Holy Communion orders of service, but are not specifically tied to the Abbey itself.
Westminster Abbey documents relating to the biannual Commemoration of Benefactors and the annual Election service are held in the EVE series, under their respective events.

This series contains items concerning events held in Westminster Abbey which directly concern the Royal Family, such as Coronations, Weddings and Funerals, as well as a small number of additional events such as coronation and wedding anniversaries. Not all events attended by the Royal Family are held in this series and such events where a representative of the Royal Family was present but the event had a different primary focus are held elsewhere in the Westminster Abbey collection, as best suits their primary theme.