Despite his being just a fresher, Charlie was obligated socially at Oxford. Teas with the dons and their wives were standard for freshman anyway, and the Rhodesmen had extra layers of social obligation and opportunity. Below are some tid-bits from his letters about teas, dinners, and special events. Included is a bit about avoiding a baby and “tootsie wootsie” talk, but you’ll have to read most of the way through to see it.
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All the old men are invited out to Lady (damned if I know)’s house for lunch Tuesday. Wylie [the Oxford representative of the Rhodes Scholarship bequest, who looked after the Rhodesmen’s affairs and disbursed their scholarship money to them over the terms] says we new ones are to be soon. Hope not heap booze. [10/19/05]
I went to a J.C.R. [Junior Common Room] debate tonight. Very amusing. Everybody smoked, drank coffee and in debating the question of whether it was good to play cards for stakes considered only the proposition that you might lose more than you could afford and the example on the lower classes. Decided that most anyone ought to know enough to take care of his own money, so it was O.K. to play for stakes. [10/30/05]
Three of the biggest colls. here give concerts every Sunday that are simply fine. In fact the Magdalen choir is said to be the finest in England. Besides many of the very best musicians come up from London and appear. Free too; about the only free thing we have too. [11/05/05]
The annual dinner given by the Rhodes Trustees was a great success. Lord Milner presided and one of the speakers was Rudyard Kipling. Made a rather good spiel too. Not very many men and none of the trustees this year got very drunk and on the whole we had a very nice time indeed. It lasted something over four hours and at the end a flashlight picture was taken of the bunch. [11/26/05]
From the dinner program:
Thanksgiving Dinner, 1905 — Oxford, November 3oth
Toast list.
Toastmaster – Dr. William Osler.
The King. The President. The United States — Robert P. Porter, Esq. R. Newton Crane, Esq.
Thanksgiving Day in England. — R. L. Henry, Esq. R. C. Hawkin, Esq.
Pioneers to the Second Generation. — Paul Kieffer, Esq. Frank Aydelotte, Esq.
Menu
Clear Mock Turtle. Cream of Chicken. Boiled Turbot. Lobster Sauce. Whitebait.
Roast Turkey. Cranberry Sauce. Mountain Corn. Cauliflower. Celery.
Christmas Pudding. Mince Pie. American Ice Cream. Dessert. Coffee.
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Charlie also attended the Thanksgiving Day 1905 Sermon, Sermon Preached at the Church of S. Mary the Virgin, Oxford, Thursday, Nov. 30, 1905. The sermon was given by Rev. G. D. S. Walpole, S.T.D., Rector of Lambeth, formerly professor of Dogmatic Theology in the General Theological Seminary, New York City, U.S.A.
The service was held “for the benefit of the Americans resident at Oxford, including the eighty Rhodes scholars from U.S.A., and about a hundred others.” The commemorative booklet notes that “The Bishop of the Diocese had granted permission for the use of the special Psalms, Lessons, and Prayers, appointed by the American Prayer Book, and the Home Secretary had, as an act of international courtesy, sanctioned the reading of the President’s [Theodore Roosevelt’s] Proclamation” printed with the sermon.
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Since I wrote the first part of this I’ve, for one thing — been to tea with Miss Crocker, who calls herself the “American mother,” knows all the Rhodesmen, has them call on her whenever they care to, has been in Oxford 6 years and the world from 35 to 40, is a mighty fine old maid and anxious to give one advice on all sorts of things. She doesn’t seem to like any particular thing to do except gratify her literary tastes. Goes to lectures here and travels during vacs. [ca. 12/04/05]
I ought to be doing a “pill” now but don’t feel like dressing up for it. Which is taking tea with Mr. & Mrs. Ball; called the “pills” in the vernacular. Their little girl is the “pillet”. One must go to tea at least once a term. [01/28/06]
All this week there is grand opera on here. They usually have a week each year they say. I went to Carmen last night. Don’t know when I’ve enjoyed anything so much. Am going to two or three more while it’s running. They are to put on Lohengrin, Tannhauser, and Faust of the well know pieces. Must quite this now for awhile as I have to dress up and do a “pill” this P.M. [02/05/06]
I’ve been over to Mr. Wylie’s to tea this P.M. Like Mrs. fine. She is certainly wise too. Keeps track of every one of us about as well as her husband. For instance she had never met me at least except in a crowd but knew I was taking law at St. John’s and playing lacrosse. Pretty good with about 200 to keep straight isn’t it? No, I haven’t seen the baby and hope I shan’t—won’t have to put up a “tootsy wootsy” talk. [02/11/06]
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The Wylies were the closest thing to family Charlie had at Oxford, and their home a regular place to call for him. He liked Mr. Wylie, noted later that Mrs. Wylie “was an American girl and is O.K” But they had two baby boys in less than a year, while he was there, and he may have had to engage in some “tootsie wootsie” talk from time to time.
