From William Marshall to Horace Darwin [1873]

Dear Bounder

I wish I had seen you before you left. I wish you were here to help in undergoing the round of festivities w^h. are upon us at present. I have not seen any brethren of y^rs. yet but I suppose I shall tonight. I am afraid to think how many people I have coming to breakfast with me tomorrow. The Mole is up and very nice and gentle, also Gurney Colbeck, England, &c.

I played 10^ies. with the K today & won 11 games to 10 advantage set at $\frac{1}{2}$ 15, he played yesterday with A. Leigh & won 10 games all, & complains t^t there is not time to finish a set in an hour.

I have made a vow to begin my cramming tomorrow (I mean Monday) it is ab^t. Time as I have done nothing this term bar a little laboratory work.

I have just seen Bradshaw off to Fairchildes he was propitious, he said Prothero was up but had not seen him ‘of course’; he has had a very fine letter from Crotch, 1^st. class he said, but had not time to read me any; Crotch describes the gymnastic feats he performed on board the steamer & how he astonished the people generally. My time is as usual divided between fives(1), tennis(2), pupydig(3), tennis(4), walk(5), tennis(6), & Sunday(7).

Write a line & say when you come up. 1^st. has won the 4^s. triumphantly

I had a nice quiet evening with Frank yesterday concludind with working out the problem paper w^h. he is setting this week to the School.

I fear from w^t. Gurney sayes t^t. ushing don’t suit Pratt but perhaps he will get on better next term

yrs | the b.

My postal bryists have been good this journey.