Trin. Coll.
Nov 27 86
Dear Willie,
I am very sorry to hear that you are so ill. I never heard anything about it till just now, when Johnson in the coolest manner possible tells me that you are seriously ill, I don't know whether to believe him or not but I think I must for this very likely will account for you're not writing to me. I do hope and trust however that it will not be very serious. I hear that you are going to Oakville as soon as your School breaks up. Won't we have a glorious time? I did wish, and fully intended to ask you to come and stay with me a short time at Xmas
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but Jimmie has anticipated me, any way it will be all right for I don't intend him to monopolize you altogether although he says he will, we'll see about that.
I can promise you plenty of good shooting, for there are lots of Quail, partridges and rabbits to be found; but this is not half, there are a great many other things to be considered. I don't think we will have an examination this Xmas and so I will be able to get away sooner. I only hope you won't be gone before I get home. And getting on very well, altho'[sic] I am not working as hard as I ought to. I find it very hard on account of the rows that take place nearly every night, as soon as the fellows get thro'[sic] their lectures, they adjourn
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to some of the second year men's rooms and after drinking, singing and smoking, proceed to the doors of the chapel and there have a regular hoe-down. I hardly approve of the place they have chosen, for I do not think it quite right. They will be pretty well quieted down by the end of next term because the [ . . . ] exam will then soon be coming on and they will have to work hard. I hope you will lasso a scholarship when you come up, I am sure you will if you work hard and steadily. Jimmie is very sick and don't know what it is, but I suppose fever and ague as usual. I won't ask you to write back, not that I wouldn't be overjoyed to hear from you, but because it might give you a great deal of trouble and keep you from getting better sooner. Don't dare to leave Oakville without my seeing you.
Believe me dear friend
Ever your most affect friend
Ned