Duke St[2]
Tuesday, Nov. 3
1868
My Dear Father,
After 6 hours hard grind at our
Exam[3] I don’t feel disposed to write much. I have only done so-so. I expect to be not
higher than second; but of course that will do serve as I couldn’t take
the Hamilton. But I fear I may be still lower. Lilley has I am sure done well.
I send 5 papers[4] along with a
Daily Rev[iew]. with Tait’s Introd: Lecture. The 6th I must have
left in the room. It was Smeaton’s — a most unfair paper we all agree & I
did miserably in it; but so I daresay did some others.
I am working away daily with Tait. I get on fairly I think. I am sorry to have given you a bad impression of T. by mentioning the Whiskey & water wh. certainly was not in quantity to do more than make up for our not sitting over wine at dinner. Still I am not likely to imitate that. I went & called on Masson & was very kindly received.
Further than this I have really no news having been just plodding away quietly day after day. My hard work with Tait will not be for a week yet. The laboratory is then to be set up.
I am very well but very tired so I hope you will excuse this mere scrap from
Your affectionate Son
Wm Robertson Smith
[1] CUL ADD 7449 C104 MS
[2] This was WRS’s third move of lodgings during his time at New College. On this occasion he was accompanied by his sister Alice who attended school for the first time, as she recounts in COTM.
[3] The Hamilton Scholarship examinations; see 1868-11-07 C 150 note 7.
[4] I.e. the examination papers.