Cold today. Turning to rain in the afternoon.

No fresh news in the paper. Germans remain the other side of the Aisne.

A fearful battle must be going on now. Lord Kitchener made a statement in the House of Lords on the present situation. The Home Rule Bill “Government of Ireland Act 1914” & Welsh Disestablishment “Welsh Church Act 1914” have become law, but will not be put into force until after the war “Suspensory Act 1914”.

Dug up a part of one of the hen runs & after having sprinkled lime on it, the idea is to purify the ground as the old hens I sold on Wed. were not very healthy.

Coo the old stable cat came into the house just after lunch & stole the butter from the dining room. She evidently has strong views against this economy in butter.

Mary & I went to town in afternoon & took Father with us, & afterwards we went to Grenofen to call & have tea. Very pleasant. Miss Chichester is a keen gardener & the flowers there were lovely. She showed us a large bed of Bella Donna, lilies. Quantities of blooms coming up.

Choir practice at 8. Only 4 present. Began to practice Merbeckes setting to communion service “Merbecke”.