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Oxford Union Society

May: 22: '96

My dear Mother

I am writing to you just before
I change to go to the Races. This is the second day
of the great May Races. Oxford is a lovely sight,
with its greenery and flowers, pretty frocks &
pretty faces; speaking generally, the beauty
and fashion of England are congregated here
just now. When I turned up yesterday on
the barge in boating clothes, with long bare
shanks, I was horrified to find it filled with
ladies, and opera glasses & parasols. Our
boat has distinguished itself by being
bumped by Balliol. But the most tragic