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college emoluments will cover the rest of his expences. Tea is indeed almost superfluous, since we do not rise from dinner till half past three, and the supper bell rings a quarter before nine. Our mode of living is not to be complained of, for the table is covered with all possible variety; and on feast days, which our fellows take care are pretty frequent, we have wine.

You will now, I trust, feel satisfied on this subject, and will no longer give yourself unnecessary uneasiness on my

account.

! I was unfortunate enough to be put into unfurnished rooms, so that my furniture will cost me a little more than I expected; I suppose about 151, or perhaps not quite so much. I sleep on a hair matrass, which I find just as comfortable as a bed; it only cost me 41. along with blankets, counterpane, and pillows, &c. I have three rooms a sitting room, a bed room, and a kind of scullery or pantry. My sitting room is very light and pleasant, and, what does not often happen, the walls are in good case, having been lately stained green.

I must commission my sister to make me a pair of letter racks, but they must not be fine, because my farniture is not very fine. I think the old shape (or octagons, one upon another) is the neatest, and white the best colour. I wish Maria would paint vignettes in the squares, because then I should see how her drawing proceeds.

You must know that these are not intended as mere matters of show, but are intended to answer some purpose; there are so many particular places to attend on particular days, that unless a man is very cautious, he has nothing else to do than to pay forfeits for non-attendance. A few cards, and a little rack, will be a short way of helping the memory.

I think I must get a supply of sugar from London; for if I buy it here, it will cost me 1s. 6d. per pound, which is rather too much. I have got tea enough to last the

term out.

Although you may be quite easy on the subject of my future support, yet you must not form splendid ideas of my success at the university, for the lecturers all speak so low, and we sit at such a distance, that I cannot hear a syllable. I have, therefore, no more advantage than if I were studying at home.

I beg we may have no more doubts and fears, at least on my score. I think I am now very near being off your hands; and, since my education at the university is quite secure, you need not entertain gloomy apprehensions for the future: my maintenance will, at all events, be decent and respectable and you must not grieve yourself because I cannot be as rich as an alderman.

*

Do not show this letter to all comers, nor leave it about, for people will have a very mean idea of university education, when they find it costs so little; but if they are saucy on the subject, tell them-I have a Lord just under me.

TO THE REV. JOHN DASHWOOD,

DEAR SIR,

St John's, Oct. 26th, 1805.

Ir is now many months since I wrote to you, and I have not received any answer. I should not have troubled you with this letter, but that, considering how much I owe to you, I thought the rules and observances of strict etiquette might with moral propriety be dispensed with.

Suffer me therefore to tell you, that I am quietly and comfortably settled at St John's, silently conforming myself to the habits of college life, and pursuing my studies with such moderation as I think necessary for my health. I feel very much at home, and tolerably happy; although the peculiar advantages of university education

will in a great measure be lost to me, since there is not one of the lecturers whom I am able to hear.

My literary ambition is, I think, now fast subsiding, I conand a better emulation springing up in its room. ceive that, considering the disadvantages under which I labour, very little can be expected from me in the Senate House. I shall not, however, remit my exertions, but shall at least strive to acquit myself with credit, though I cannot hope for the more splendid honours.

With regard to my college expences, I have the pleasure to inform you, that my situation is so favourable, that I shall be obliged, in strict rectitude, to wave the offers of many of my friends. I shall not even need the sum Mr Simeon mentioned, after the first year; and it is not impossible that I may be able to live without any assistance at all. I confess I feel pleasure in the thought of this, not through any vain pride of independence, but because I shall then give a more unbiassed testimony to the Truth, than if I were supposed to be bound to it by any ties of obligation or gratitude. I shall always feel as much indebted for intended, as for actually afforded assistance; and though I should never think a sense of thankfulness an oppressive burthen, yet I shall be happy to evince it, when, in the eyes of the world, the obligation to it has been discharged.

*

I hope you will ere long relieve me from the painful thought that I lie under your displeasure; and believe

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CUM diutius à te frustra litteras expectâssem, memet in animum tuum revocare aut iterum otio obtrudere nolebam.

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Penes te erat aut nobiscum denuo per litteras colloqui aut familiaritatem et necessitatem nostram silentio dimittere. Hoc te prætulisse jam diu putaveram, cùm epistola tua mihi in manus venit. lui &

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Has litteras scribebam intra sanctos Sanctissimi Johannis Collegii muros, in celeberrimâ hâc nostrâ academiâ Cantabriga.

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