2110-1-15-6

3, TEMPLE GARDENS, TEMPLE.

Oct: 21: 1903

My dearest Mother

I came back from Oxford this morning after a very pleasant weekend. It rained most of the time, but I saw a lot of my old friends. The Brasenose dons were very kind & I saw Raymond & the Ansons & Aubrey Herbert & a lot of others. They all lamented Willie's departure. This morning I began at the Bar

again in Rowlatt's chambers. I feel rather strange, & my law is pretty rusty. It is a foolish point of view, I know, but after the last two years I cannot help feeling that the law is all rather a pother about trifles. I am reading one interesting case: the appeal to the House of Lords of the Free Kirk, the aboriginal remnant. Haldane is briefed for

the O.F. Church, and he sent me the brief to read. I am afraid the victory will be on the side of the ungodly, a second Bothwell Brig.

I have got a good many invitations to dinner & also for Saturdays & Mondays. I fell in with Gerard Craig- Sellar the other day, profoundly depressed & bemoaning the littleness of civilised life. Even

a million and a half sterling are no consolation to him.

My book should be out very soon now. Raymond Asquith looks ill & old. Everybody marvels at my healthy appearance & youth.

With much love to all

Your affectionate son

Jock