Edinburgh, Sat.
My Dear Father,
I meant to write to Bella but perhaps had better write to you as my informn must be chiefly directed to you.
The result of the Shaw is to be published on Tuesday after approval of the Senatus. But the thing is settled & I have pretty full accounts tho’ Lindsay who is first with 93 per cent. Hunter “who was in the highest state of artificial preparation” is second with some 80 per cent.[2] I am third — owing to insufficient reading Fraser says — just what I supposed. If it had gone by an essay F. says I should have been second. In Metaphysical power he puts me after but next after Lindsay. He also says my papers were the most interesting of the lot. Hunter’s name will appear as an order of merit.[3] My percentage ran[g]ed fr. 65 to 68. One or two other men were not much short of this. There were eight Candidates including 4 philosophical Ferguson men – two of whom I have beaten including the man who got the thing in the year I was up.[4]
This is, I suppose you will say, rather unsatisfactory but I have felt for some time that no more could be looked for with my other engagements. Of course Hunter was making the Exam his whole work — I only spent my spare time on it.
Many thanks for the box which arrived safely today. A stupid man called Hislop[5] has carried away this week’s Illustrated & not brought it back again. I hope he may return it still. I must blow him up. I hope Nell was not disappointed. I am going to tea too the Rogers on Wednesday.
I have been taking long walks & writing an Essay for the Theol: this week.[6]
Of the Shaw papers I have lent one & can’t send it till returned. I enclose what I think the letter can bear[7] & will send the others after.
I am quite well & not depressed.
Your aff Son
Wm R. Smith
[1] CUL ADD 7449 C108 MS
[2] WRS is obviously quoting Lindsay but his personal irritation at being beaten into third place is plain. The Shaw Fellowship in philosophy was a University award.
[3] I.e. as proxime accessit.
[4] Presumably Smith refers here to the year he himself gained the Ferguson award in Mathematics.
[5] A fellow-student at New College.
[6] Printed in L&E, pp.109–136, as “Christianity and the Supernatural”.
[7] In terms of weight, that is.