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OXFORD UNION SOCIETY
May: 29: 96
My dear Anna,
I had your interesting letter this morning. I am very grieved and offended at what you say about Mother's condition of ignorance and unenlightenment. I am afraid I must give her up. I congratulate Ervie on his brassy. I sent him the "Alice" book, because I have been so deeply affected recently by the pathos of the songs of Through the Looking-Glass which I have been reading in the Union. That wretched Taffy goes about all day repeating
"'Twas brillig and the slithy toves".
I think we will like Innerleithen. I do not
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think I shall be able to get to Galloway with Mr [Mortimer?] much as I would like it. I have a stupendous amount of work to do.
This morning I finished & sent away J. B. of B. I felt as if I had lost my oldest friend. I am now devoting myself wholly to Classics & History. Oxford is one big furnace just now, but I am glad to say I am keeping quite well. Tell Mother I quite understand about the £10, and shall be delighted if she will keep it. I have got the Yellow Book which I could send you if you wanted it. This afternoon I have been a long cycle ride. I have been out a great deal this week at lunches and
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breakfasts. The visitors have mostly gone down now, so we are not so crowded as last week.
The subject for the Newdigate [underlined] next year:
Gilbraltar. I am in despair, for I can think of nothing but Gibraltar rock, which Miss Pringle in Pathhead used to sell.
I hope Father and Mother will enjoy themselves at the Assembly. I found out a thing the other day here which Father might be interested in knowing – that Sir Henry Moncrieff, whom he talks about, was here at New College, and was President of the Union in his day. I don't think I told you what happened on the last day of the races. It is the custom for all the crews, as soon as they come in, to jump out of the boats and swim to shore. It was a very strange sight – a whole line of bobbing heads, and then a number of men
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shaking themselves like wet dogs.
I have not got my photograph taken & shall not this term. In the first place I have not done anything to merit it, not getting the Newdigate & Stanhope [both underlined]. In the second place I am rather poor, having had to pay about £2 for absolutely necessary books, £1-1 for entrance fee for examination in divinity, & being compelled to go up to London at the end of term, as I am.
With love to all
Your affectionate brother
John Buchan
