Charles D Mahaffie at Oxford

Throughout CDM, Sr.’s letters home, from Oxford and from his travel between terms, are opinions about the character of people in England and Europe. He shows not so much a dislike of “Englishers” as a taste preference for others—all others, it would seem: Dutch, Germans, Italian, and Swiss. The English just didn’t suit his fancy. In fact, he almost never mentions one by name, only saying, “an Englisher” or “the Englisher”.

Below are some of his impressions of the English people and their ways.

+-+-+-+-+

Another thing that looks rather wild is the fact that most of the girls smoke cigarettes. Not on the street of course, but in private. You understand I’m only quoting. Haven’t seen many yet. The women here are very light colored. Cheeks are exceedingly red. Said to be climate. Don’t know yet.[10/19/05]

There was an intercol[legiate] football game just across the river from the boats this P.M. and after the hardest kind of a game (for Eng.) with almost no noise the victorious team got together at the close and have three faint “Hurrahs”. These people are models for quietness when sober. In a barbershop even they always talk in whispers. [10/30/05]

I’ve always heard a great deal about how clean people are in Eng. and am commencing to realize it, students at least. You take a cold bath when you get up in the morning and then after athletics-and everybody does athletics–a hot one. [11/05/05]

This is absolutely the worst country for profanity I ever saw. These Englishmen really don’t know how to swear good. In fact I’ve only heard one or two Englishmen cuss yet and they seemed quite surprised and confused when they did it. There are two or three Americans here whom I like to be with because of their accomplishments in that line. Wouldn’t be considered much good at home but here, with competition practically eliminated, are very fine. Nothing cheers one up more on a rainy, dark day than a letter from home or a good like of American “cussing” at something he doesn’t like. [11/19/05]

Mohler is getting McClure’s too since Xmas. When we get a mag. over here about the first thing we read is the ad. part. They are 1000 miles ahead of British ads. [12/31/05]

The average Englishman has an even less intelligent idea of politics than the average American. In fact I think the majority of the English are about as little qualified for the suffrage as the upper class think them. A good many of the “Gentlemen” don’t know much more, and the law of inheritance seems to apply fully as strongly in politics as land. [01/21/06]

The freshmen among the English are as clean a set of fellows as I ever saw together. Of course of upper classmen I don’t know so much but even they in some cases, at least, seem woefully innocent of what are called the “ways of the world.” Don’t think that there is not all kinds of rottenness here but it is not of the conspicuous variety except of course in the very low quarters which are extremely well defined, but they say. The life of the upper and lower classes is quite as different as you could well imagine and of course of that of the lower I know but little. [01/28/06]

These boys in the Uni. have been brought up as gentlemen and anything that is considered ungentlemanly is abhorred. One rather appreciates it too, especially their unfailing courtesy, at least when in a normal state of mind. [01/28/06]

An English bore went to church with Mohler and me and coming back I did a dirty trick. Talked a lot about how many letters I had to write and so sent him down to “gas” with M. An awfully dirty trick but he bothered me two solid hours last night when I wanted to work and as a consequence I didn’t get to bed until after one. [02/25/06]

Since I started this an Englisher came around and I went with him for a two hours walk. It means work to walk with an Englisher too. They certainly reach out.[03/04/06]

“Hardly the disposition to be happy”

CDM Sr. Post 15, on the status of the Freshers, included this excerpt about Charlie’s classmate Carol Howe Foster [US Naval Academy and University of Idaho, Rhodes ‘05]:

Carol F. [aka “Frosty”] is having a most distressing time. Is rather too big a talker and made a little splurge about smoking, booze etc. right at first. Since then the has been ragged (hazed) pretty constantly. Last night he said he had given in and bought a bottle of whiskey and some cigarettes. That was what the hazers always demanded. [10/15/05]

Foster seems to have been a hapless presence among the Americans in the Rhodes class of ‘05. Even before their arrival he’s the subject of pity:

Quite a number of the boys have been sick and most of the women on board. Don’t seem to suffer so terribly but hate themselves pretty thoroughly I imagine. Carol was one of the first.[10/07/05]

Foster, you will note the irony, was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, yet allegedly suffered badly from seasickness. You will also see below that Foster disputed the report of his seasickness. And after the American Rhodesmen settled in, Foster’s troubles continued:

Am in a lot better shape [financially] than a good many of the men. Foster for instance told me last night that he was down to about £30. [10/15/05]

Went over to Bras. [Brasenose College, Oxford] to see Carol last night. Is still having hard luck. Is on ground floor, first quad and most every drunk comes in to see him awhile so he says. Am afraid he’s a little touchy tho. [10/19/05]

Here in John’s there has been very little hazing and none of the Americans have been bothered in the least. Carol is getting on much better now, but is hardly the disposition to be happy. [11/26/05]

Got Rose’s letter this morning … Was surprised to hear of Carol’s not being sea sick. It may have been some other sickness that kept him in his bunk about two days or perhaps he was only shamming and had stuck his finger down his throat for fun, I don’t know, couldn’t swear to it you see so I beg anybody’s pardon I’ve slandered. Asked Mohler about it. He says he’s entertained the idea all the time that Frosty “was pretty decidedly seasick.” Anyway I’m absolutely sure, since I sat by his vacant chair in the dining saloon several meals, that Frosty if he ate took it in his stateroom. I didn’t miss a meal on the trip so know. [01/28/06]

And the Foster saga continued into the second Fall term. He took the exams for the lesser of the levels (a non-honors level). Note Charlie’s sarcasm about it:

As regards that exam. Frosty did pass Pass Mods before Xmas. It is not an honor exam. at all and Rhodesmen are not allowed to take Pass finals. However as not being so well up in classics as most Englishmen they allow us to take a “Pass” preliminary exam. Frosty told me the examiner said his work was “quite satisfactory.” Perhaps thru modesty he suppressed the rest. Brasnose hasn’t given a holiday to celebrate yet but perhaps they will have a bonfire soon. Really, tho, Carol is a good classical student, and I think he knows quite enough to handle rather more than Pass Mods. even now. [01/28/06]

So how did Foster turn out? Quite well, actually:

Married, July 15, 1916, to Idah S. Pratt. Worked as instructor, English, United States Naval Academy. U.S. Consul in Vienna, 1919-24; Rotterdam, 1928-34; U.S. Consul General in Rotterdam, 1934; Sao Paulo, 1934-38; Cape Town, 1947. Member, Phi Delta Theta; Phi Beta Kappa. Burial location unknown.

The University of Idaho awards a memorial scholarship in Foster’s name of $8,000 each year to as many worthy college seniors as meet the requirements: being a Phi Delta Theta member with a GPA above the average for all men during their sophomore and junior years, est. 1939 by Carol Foster and his wife.

Charlie wrote home regularly about food, both from Oxford and from his between-term travels in England and Europe. His focus included the food and how much it cost. This was probably an apt subject to share with his family, who would have less to care or think about Justinian in Latin, and Roman Law.

Below are thoughts and observations on food from Charlie’s first term and first vacation break.

+-+-+-+-+

The scout does everything for one in the way of taking care of things. Builds a fire, pours out your bath and then wakes you in the morning, takes your order for breakfast and then in 1/2 hour brings it in. Washes dishes, cleans up and keeps the fire going during the day. I just had lunch, bread and butter strawberry ham and cheese. The food is very good and well cooked. In fact by paying for it you can get anything you want. [10/15/05]

A decent breakfast, say for instance oatmeal, bacon and eggs with coffee and dry toast costs about 45 cts. Dinner, three courses with potatoes and turnips cost about 50 cts. with sweets extra. [10/15/05]

They serve ale or beer at dinner and practically everybody smokes. I’ve called on three of the tutors and they all smoked most of the time.[10/15/05]

Didn’t get up in the morning until 10 and went down town for breakfast. It’s cheaper to get as many meals in town as possible but you can only cut a few [college dining hall meals] each week. If you cut without sending in notice the day before or over three meals of one kind per week you have to pay the price anyhow.[10/30/05]

I’m cutting dinner tonight to keep down my battels [meal accounts]. Alburn and I are going down to try out a little place for dinner that I found out and looks pretty clean & cheap. A hard combination to find together. Besides, tho I’m pretty fond of meat, when it comes to making your meals consist of meat almost alone it’s a little stretched. The only meal one can get potatoes here is dinner, then only boiled and no butter or gravy. Not withstand[ing] a few changes from what I’m used to it’s a fine place to board. [10/30/05]

I cut breakfast this morning–didn’t get up until 9 so am drinking cocoa instead. Haven’t drank any coffee for a week, am doing pretty well don’t you think. Am likely to get the cocoa habit in place of it tho because I drink that for breakfast and then make some every night. [11/12/05]

Have been out to tea every day this week and am getting to rather enjoy the custom. It’s a long stretch from lunch to dinner and a good chance to spend half an hour getting better acquainted with people. [11/19/05]

Mohler was just up wishing he had some fried potatoes and some beans. He never was away from home long before, and tho the cooking here is fairly good, isn’t used to but one kind yet. The worst thing here is that you have to salt everything after it is brought in. Almost spoils some things. [11/26/05]

They [Christ’s College, their opponent for a track meet] gave us a dinner that so far as eating goes had the best of any I’ve seen here. [11/26/05]

Below is what was on the menu card for that dinner, which Charlie kept.

+-+-+-+-+

Tuesday, November 28, 1905

MENU

Consomme d’Esclignac.

Filets de Turbot, sauce d huitres.

Cotelettes de Volaille aux puree de Navet.

Aloyau de Boeuf.

Sauce Raifort.

Legumes.

Faisons rotis.

Pomme de terre frits.

Biscuits glacee au Maraschino.

Croutes a la Florentine.

Dessert. Cafe au lait.

+-+-+-+-+

The food reports continued from New Quay where Charlie went for vacation after his first term: 

Had a pretty good feed—three courses. A roast first with cauliflower and boiled spuds—as usual— and then a big apple pie with whipped cream and after that coffee and cheese. No butter. A funny thing in this country is that the bread is always put on uncut. Beef here is fine. Ship only fat cattle in, and is retailed not very much higher than at home too. [12/10/05]

And supper the same day:

We had supper consisting of bread and butter cheese and celery about an hour ago. You always 4 meals per here. Lunch usually in place of supper tho. Tea today was buttered bread, strawberry jam, cake, and of course tea. Breakfast, dry toast and butter, fried fish, bacon and marmalade & coffee. [12/10/05]

Before I forget, we did have turkey alright Thanksgiving and there was supposed to be cranberry sauce to go with it but it surely was the sickliest looking sauce I ever met, looked more like fermented mashed tomatoes—pronounced with the a short over here. I think I’ve told you about the mince pie they gave us, a couple of tarts with a little mince sandwiched in between. [01/08/06]

An Oxford Freshman had a lowly status, but the Rhodesmen seemed to get somewhat better treatment than average. Perhaps as foreigners they were of some special interest to the upper classmen. Also, the Rhodes Scholarship required at least two years of college, so many were at least as old as the upperclassmen, and older than a typical freshman. Nevertheless the Oxford traditions of hazing and ignoring freshmen still affected them.

An article, “Oxford from Within,” written by an American studying at Oxford, John F. Horns, [The Outlook, Vol. 82, April 14, 1906] described one of the hazing traditions and a Rhodesman’s reaction to it:

“Since the Rhodes scholars made their first appearance in Oxford I have heard of one significant incident. In nearly all the colleges it is an old custom for the second and third year men to entertain the freshmen by what is known as a “Fresher’s Drunk.” This orgy is held in the rooms of one of the Freshmen, whether the occupier wishes it or not. Last winter, however, one of the American Rhodes Freshmen  was informed that on a certain evening there would be a “Drunk” held in his rooms, so that he had better prepare to receive the guests.”

“The Rhodes man quietly but firmly told his informer that he personally had no objection whatsoever to their having a “Drunk,” but that it would not be held in his rooms. The Senior looked at him and gasped; for such independence on the part of a Fresher was almost unheard of before. However, it was determined by the “Drunk” Committee that,  nolens volens, the Fresher should submit. But when the eventful evening came, and the “Drunk” Committee visited the Freshman’s rooms, they were met by an assembly of the friends of that Freshman, all Americans, tall and muscular, like himself, who smiled pleasantly, and cordially invited them to come in. Needless to say, there was no “Drunk” held that evening.”

+-+-+-+-+

Charlie does not mention the above incident, which would have happened in his first (1905) term, but you can imagine him being part of that athletic, defense wall the upper class men met when the arrived to hold their Fresher’s drunk.

And, of course, Charlie had plenty to share on being a Freshman at Oxford.

+-+-+-+-+

None of the upper class men for the first year have anything much to do with the freshers. Even after they have you in to supper or breakfast the next morning on the street will not recognize you. The freshers are in that way supposed to mingle among themselves. For the most part they are very boyish looking lot but seem to have some pretty good men among them. [10/15/05]

Carol F. is having a most distressing time. Is rather too big a talker and made a little splurge about smoking, booze etc. right at first. Since then he has been ragged (hazed) pretty constantly. Last night he said he had given in and bought a bottle of whiskey and some cigarettes. That was what the hazers always demanded. [10/15/05]

We have been treated very nicely so far. Simply ignored is much better than being hazed. After the first year however, the fellows get along finely. [10/15/05]

Here in John’s there has been very little hazing and none of the Americans have been bothered in the least. Carol is getting on much better now, but is hardly the disposition to be happy. [11/26/05]

One graft that is called a voluntary one but really is not has been sprung this week. They have about 20 men here in John’s in training for the boat races and freshers are invited to entertain them to breakfast. Three freshers together thus keeping the cost down to about $7.50 apiece. The notice runs like this, “Gentlemen who desire to entertain the togger men for breakfast put their names below.” Looks very polite but as far as keeping out of digging up is concerned it’s about the same as tho they pointed a six shooter at you. Suppose [Cecil] Rhodes went through the same though and knew what he wanted when he distributed his coin. [02/05/06]

Charlie had already written about the change in hats after he left Hobart. But his move to Oxford meant a lot more change than just hats. For Oxford, he had to get the proper clothes for a freshman, including a commoner’s gown, new suits, plus outfits for tennis, lacrosse, track, and perhaps baseball, and dress clothes for the post-game dinners.

Below are excerpts from his letters about clothes, shoes, and grooming, starting with essential purchases from his first week there.

+-+-+-+-+

Ordered a dress suit the other day. Have to give $30. About forty five in U.S. and will not be made nearly so well either. However I got a derby for seven bob or shillings that would cost about $3 at home. [10/15/05]

I ordered a winter suit of clothes tonight. This is not such a great country after all to buy clothes in. Everything is tailor made … they fit very poorly as a rule. Use fine cloth tho. I’m getting what is called a Norfolk suit. Heavy, rough cloth with felt on back of coat. Costs £3 rest extra. [10/19/05]

The drawing shows a Norfolk suit from 1906. They were of sturdy tweed, designed for shooting, golf, and other outdoor use. Charlie’s could have had knickers instead of slacks.

They all wear fancy vests here and the sportiest colors one can imagine. In fact, their shirts, ties, vests, and socks remind one of an Indian camp. [10/19/05]

One custom that is rather queer here is that undergraduates do not carry umbrellas. In fact except when it is raining, except Sunday, one seldom if ever wears a hat. Hat means cap except derbies which are only worn on Sunday. No slouch hats are seen at all. On Sunday everyone carries a stick and wears gloves too. [10/30/05]

Some clothing was required by the Oxford rules. Freshman, for example, as University “commoners,” had to often wear a gown (pictured).

The times we have to wear gowns etc is when at lectures, chapel, calling on tutors or any college official on business, dinner, Uni. church, and any time on the street after 9 P.M.

Penalty for last is 5 shillings but hardly anyone does it. Takes the risk of having the proctor see him and it does not seem to be a very big risk. They catch a few most every day but 2 proctors to 3000 undergrads is rather big odds. [about Dec 4, 1905]

I broke my record on a cheap haircut yesterday. Got the operation performed for 4 pence. Think of that: 8 cents. That’s not the record either—just mine, Ensign got one for 3 pence in a shop not quite so nice. The work in all such lines is very poor tho. The shop where I was does a ladies and gents business and has all sorts of pins [?] and curling irons in sight. They do almost no shaving, so little in fact that even in Oxford I haven’t seen a shop with more than 1 shaving chair and here [in New Quay, Cornwall where he stayed between terms] there’s none. [01/14/06]

Another thing in the same line especially for Bart’s benefit. Over here and I noticed the same thing all the time to a more limited extent is the U.S. After I got away from K.C. nobody ever has his neck shaved, clipped only. I haven’t had a neck shave since I left Olathe. Wish I never had had one now. Think I shall have to invest in a pair of shoes in London. Boots they say here. [American shoe makers] Regal and Walkover both have a store there and English shoes are execrable. [01/14/06]

Went to the Walkover store and got some shoes and then bought some gloves etc. English shoes are horrible. Almost no American wears them, but can also buy Regals in Cheapside. [01/21/06]

I just got myself measured for a summer coat and trousers. You have everything tailor-made here — can’t get anything else — and then the fit and style of the ordinary suit is not as good as a ready made at home. It is a very good price of goods I think and costs £3. [05/06/06]

As Charlie was adjusting to Oxford, Oxford was still adjusting to the Rhodes Scholars. The Scholars’ arrival was a notable change for the colleges. Charlie’s class was only the second group of Rhodesmen to enroll, swell the ranks of the Oxford Freshers, and change things. It electrified the campus, and was news well beyond.

Below is an article from the Sheffield Daily Independent, reprinted in the Oxford Magazine about the incoming, bigger-than-ever Freshman class.

+-+-+-+-+

A correspondent sends us the enclosed cutting from the Sheffield Daily Independent for November 2. It is culled from the special “London Letter,” which is fortunately exclusive to the Independent: —

THE UNIVERSITY CRISIS.

The Universities re-opened with some doubt as to what would happen from the influx of Freshmen, and particularly through the Rhodes Scholars. The increase was greatly in excess of custom, and the undergraduates, inclined to take the worst view of every seeming infringement of their exclusiveness, fretted a good deal in anticipation. The Dons themselves were not altogether free from similar emotion. It seems, however, there is nothing to worry over. The new men are being gently fagged according to routine. The ‘Rhodes Kids,’ who were to kick and butt like bulls of Bashan, are amongst the meekest, and altogether the Freshmen of 1905-6 are pronounced a good sort. A fine crop of young cadets of noble houses are coming along with their destination roads marked for high politics. But in the meantime, whether the present influx of Freshmen produce any geniuses or not, the crisis is happily laid.”

The Oxford magazine: a weekly newspaper and review, Volume 24,   By University of Oxford, November 8, 1905,

Over his first term at Oxford, in the fall of 1905, Charlie shared a little about his academic experiences and how things worked at St. John’s College. His main emphasis is a great desire to qualify to try for the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.).

I’ve gotten started a little on lectures and have one or two remarkably good men. They outline an enormous amount of reading for a fellow to do. [10/19/05]

Unlike our colleges, Oxford students didn’t have classes, they attended about 3 lectures a week, and they had individual instruction and assignments from several tutors. Students typically spent the rest of their study time doing their reading and writing assignments. And though Charlie showed plenty of maturity and seriousness, Oxford was set up for raucous undergraduates—they each were assigned a “morals tutor” as well.

Went to tea yesterday P.M. at the home of my morals tutor so called i.e. I don’t have any work under him but he sort of looks after my welfare. I have to get permission from him among other numerous officials if I want to do anything the least bit out of the ordinary. Have a session with the law tutor tonight at 8. He has me write out papers on the work I’ve been over and criticizes it pretty severely and then asks questions awhile. [10/30/05]

I skipped a lecture today and have been having to write it up tonight. Makes no dif. if you cut so you have some one to get the notes from. Take down verbatim usually. [10/30/05]

Oxford students had a volume of work assigned them towards overall progress for exams and their degree. They worked on it during as well as between terms. Charlie ultimately took about 500 pages of Roman Law, in Latin, to translate during his winter break.

This term is over half gone already. I readily see where one has to work in vacs. alright. [11/12/05]

Charlie was keenly interested in taking the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.). He and a number of other American Rhodes Scholars pushed for the right to take this degree—it better fit their aspirations for law careers back in the States.

I’m finding out more about this B.C.L. every day. For one thing, it’s supposed to take from 4 to 7 years, and its the hardest exam to pass in Oxford. A man with an Oxf. A.B. who takes it gets his M.A. thrown in at the same time as a sort of compliment. Besides they are sore at so many Americans trying for it and my tutor tells me that it will increase in stiffness every year on that account. Last year of 10 who tried 7 got through and the year before 3 out of 18. So you see what we are “up against”. [11/19/05]

I’d like mighty well to take a degree from here but even if I can’t am sure I like the work for the B.C.L. rather better than any of the other schools and so shall not feel so terribly sat upon even if they shouldn’t give me that degree. Can tell a lot more about it in the spring tho for one or two of the Americans who had had a good deal of law school work before they came and have been working pretty steadily since. If they get through there will be some hope for the rest of us. [11/19/05]

The dons here are quite hospitable. I was out to breakfast with two of them last week. [11/26/05]

“Dons” referred then as it does now to the professors, lecturers, and tutors in the Oxford colleges.

I’m gathering up my papers etc. to apply for B.C.L. this morning. Shan’t know for anywhere from a week to 3 months whether I’m admitted or not, but as there is £5 entrance fee and the degree if one takes it costs about 10 more it looks like a good proposition for them to let me have. Certainly hope they do.[about 12/04/05]

At the end of term at St. John’s they have Collections i.e. everyone alone has to go up and take a chair on one side of a table on the other side of which are the [?] and Dons and then they ask any questions they see fit and say what they please about you, discuss your misdeeds etc. They let me off easy this time tho. I’d been admitted to B.C.L. The day before and I guess they thought that was about enough. [12/10/05]

I’m mighty glad I got that B.C.L. Lets me out of scripture exam and all preliminary exams. Means no Greek and only 500 pages of Latin from now. Am going to try to get over that Latin this vac. too. [12/10/05]

Also I have forgotten whether I said I have been admitted to B.C.L. Means that I get out of a lot of work but get into a great deal more. Stuff I’d rather do tho. The other fellows put in 1 hr. per day on Greek Bible that I don’t have. [ca 12/15/05]

Am going to start ‘06 right anyhow by grinding out a big lot of Latin to make up for what I lost out on Fri. & Sat. As for that B.C.L. I think I’ll try for it in June ‘07 and if I fall down then will still have another chance. [12/31/05]

Aside from these excerpts, Charlie’s letters home focused far more on sports, daily life, and observations of England. More on all that to come…

Charlie spent his first Christmas in Europe in New Quay, Cornwall, on the Southwest coast of England. He had almost a month off between terms and he and three American Rhodesmen classmates, Frank Mohler, Edwin Lloyd and Newton Ensign, went there to explore and study. The colleges were closed, and they sought adventure but also inexpensive lodging conducive to study for their vacation.

He was to spend much of his vacation time translating Justinian from Latin, but Christmas was on his mind. Charlie notes in the December 24 letter below “I don’t much like the idea of Latin on Xmas”. This was his first Christmas away and he reflected on that without quite admitting any homesickness.

+-+-+-+-+

December 24, 1905 New Quay

Dear Home Folks:

It’s some little while before church time & I don’t know whether I’ll go or not so am going to write a bit. Have been having a rather quiet time this week—it has been cloudy quite a bit and we haven’t done so much walking as last but has been a fine week to work. I’m about half through my Latin stint and the time is not quite half up either. The other fellows are getting an awful lot done too.

That McClure’s and also a News. Rep. [The Hobart News-Republican] came in yesterday. I read some and have the rest saved up for today. Notice they have a London address. Think I’ll have to invest.

They seem to go in for Xmas pretty heavy in this country. The shops are to be closed three days for example. You have probably heard of English Xmas carols? Well last night just before dinner time we heard some voices begin in our doorway and when we asked the landlady found that was what as the matter. It seems that anyone has the privilege of serenading any one else until he shells up. We went to dinner while they were still at it and I don’t know whether the landlady gave them anything or not. They did finally quit.

We went down town after dinner to lay in a stock of eating—nuts, fruit etc. And had a great time seeing the people. Cornishmen are rather a distinct type in Eng. anyhow and last night was a great time to see them. Every maid and flunky and most everybody else in town was on the one business street and dressed up to beat the band. Go in for colors here about like indians or coons.

Have been to church since I started this at the Wesleyan. Had a good service this A.M. Rather better than the usual run of Meth. “doins”, but am most afraid to go tonight. A special choir service was announced under the direction of Mr. Donkey. They have a new church that seats about 600. Fill it pretty well too.

As far as observance goes, people in this country take their religion pretty seriously and some of the best sights here are the churches. Not only the big ones in the towns and the cathedrals buy the little village ones. Little village & big church usually. They are mostly of the Ch. of E. [Church of England] and have high towers and old style interiors. Fine carved wood and beautiful and costly furnishings in a straw thatched village.

They are having some little excitement here in Englad now. The government is changing and they are going to have a general election before very long. Is a rather unusual occurrence and I’m glad it’s on while we’re here. IS quite an experience to find out about their elections. They say they have pretty noisy times but I rather doubt it.

The carolers are worse than ever here tonight.

Has Beatty learned to play pitch? Will probably the next thing after dominoes. Believe I was about his size when I learned “casino” played a game with Ensign last night. [His brother Beatty then was just under 6 years old.]

There has been a big sea on today and we saw some fine effects this P.M. on the cliffs.

Seems funny to have been in a town two weeks and know nobody in it. I don’t even know the landlady’s name.

I think I must be getting fat. My face is filling up and looks more as it did a couple of years ago.

You asked about Carol. He took the Pass Moderations exam and the last I saw of him thought he would get through. [An exam for those not seeking honors] Was going to London for the vacation. Talked some of coming down here with us but I’m afraid didn’t get very much encouragement. He’s in a fairly expensive place in Oxford and is making most too strenuous efforts to keep down expenses. Proclaimed himself a vegetarian and all that sort of thing to keep down his board battels. The idea is O.K. of course but doesn’t look good to me carried so far. The hall charge for dinner is about $.50 and that is cheaper than you can get any sort of one in a hotel or restaurant. Am afraid I wasn’t intending to economize in that line, at least it would be the last place. Don’t think I’ll have any particular trouble in finances tho.

Am afraid tomorrow is going to be a rather dull sort of day here. I’ve got most everything read except law and don’t much like the idea of Latin on Xmas. Wish I could be with you on the fat turkey deal. We’re wondering what our landlady will offer.

Mohler got a Xmas. present of a copy of that book the Brinkers sent me. I’m getting on pretty well with my Roman Law. Shall be glad to get it read and be through with Latin for a while at least.

You spoke about my letter not being on time. Don’t worry if one isn’t even for several days because with only two mail a week and around in rural places it would not be much wonder if I was to a mail from Queenstown.

With love to all from your son & brother,

Charlie