2110-1-1-5

To JB's brother Willie

B.N.C. Oxford

Oct: 26: 95

My dear Willie

I had Father & Mother's letter this morning and was glad to hear that you are getting on well at school. I am very sorry about the beadle's death; it will be a dreadful thing for his family. I really don't know what to put in this letter. The past few days have been so uneventful. I had a letter from Anna

yesterday enclosing an extraordinary photograph of herself which has caught to a nicety one of her expressions. I have got it stuck up on my mantlepiece, where it looks – alas that I should say it – sadly like one of these pictures out of cigarette boxes. She has surely made a very long stay at Dundee. Tell her that the photograph is the only one of the lot which attracts attention in visitors to my rooms. My mantelpiece is very low so some people in pity have presented me with their photographs. Every body up here seems recently to have had their photo taken. I had a letter from Charlie Dick this morning. He is reviewing my book in the first number of the University

Magazine. About that book it is to be put up next night at the Union to see if it can be admitted to the library. It is selling rather well here & a good many copies have been bût [bought]. C. Dick says he has made enquiries at the Glasgow booksellers and finds that it is selling very well there. I have not yet heard from Crockett. I attribute it to the fact that he has been away the month in St Andrews and would likely direct his letters not to be sent on.

My college bills for this week came out to 17/. You see I have been so much out at meals. I find that at the end of term we have a payment of 5/ to the porter. This has completely

stumped me. So I want you to ask Father to cash the cheque which is sent fom the Herald for the Oxford article and send it to me. Also send – but do not cash – the cheque for Nonconformity in Literature when it comes. I am going out to tea tonight to Balliol, to tea on Monday to Queen's, to breakfast on Tuesday to Balliol, and to breakfast on Wednesday in this college. Uncle John's small friend called on me. He has been very unwell. I am enjoying the most excellent health. I may tell you now that I was very seedy indeed the last few days, but I am just used to it now and as well as possible. I am progressing well with the Stanhope; but it means work in the Bodleian two hours per day.

I have to read all sorts of obscure old books. When it is done I shall have to get it type-written. I have done almost two chapters of John Burnet since you sent it up. I have not yet heard from Fisher Unwin. There are a great many Scotsmen in this college. The most distinguished of them is a Loretto man, J.T. Thomson, the best rugby player in the University. He is what they call a 'rugger blue', meaning that he has played against Cambridge. He is a very quiet, civil, hulking chap. Tell Father that Dr Wright is the father (not the son as he conjectured) of the student that I know. There is a son of Cochrane-Patrick's here, a