From Thomas Beddoes to Richard Beddoes   [?October] 1776

Honoured Sir

A few days ago I supp’d and breakfasted with Mr Baker of Kemberton; he stopp’d here on his journey to London with his wife & son; by him I was inform’d that your commission had been lately held at Chester. the circumstances of it I shall omit as you are better acquainted with them than I can be from his account. he seem’d to have been very well entertain’d there & indeed observ’d that he would not have been absent for any consideration whatever. He was inquiring how much my annual residence here cost me & assur’d me that he generally spent (20 years ago) not less than 70 pounds pr. Annum, from whence it should seem that college expences have not increased in the same proportion for the last 30 years <as most other things>, as I can live for about 4 more pounds, but I desire that this may remain a secret for some private reasons. Reckoning up the other day the most considerable expences, I found them to be as follows.

You will observe that I have not mentioned some incidental expences, which happen in every place & may raise the whole amount to £100 perhaps, & I may have overlook’d some bill but the first year is known to be considerably the most expensive. Last year I brought up 20 pounds with 20 I had last Michaelmas term & I suppose another 20£ bill will bring me into the country. I have paid some & have remaining more bills to pay

I now am indebted for 3 T^m Battles, Barber & Coals & books & medicines & washing &c;— You will oblige me by sending the bill as soon as you possibly can, as the day for the payment of battles is next Tuesday sevennight— —

I shall write to you again before I leave Oxford & had something further to say but am hindered by want of room

Your Dutiful son

T. Beddoes