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LETTERS

University(PL4214)
, June 23, 1825

My Dear Father

I am very fearful that you thought my letter by Jesse was written in a careless and indifferent manner, but I hope when you consider the little time that I had to do it in that you will consider it otherwise. Since I am now fixed in my room and having commenced my studies I have a fairer opportunity of writing you such a letter as you requested I should do whe I left home, and I can assure you my dear father that nothing gives my more pleasure that to comply with your requests whatever they may be, but the fulfilment [sic] of such a one as this gives me, if possible, double satisfaction.

I found by enquiry after I arrived here that the dormitories were not found to be very uncomfortable and therefore I took No. 44 on the eastern range(PL9345) of Pavilions between my two old acquaintances Bolling(P35629) & Cary(P26928). I have found my room tolerably comfortable although we have had some very hot weather for the last four or five days.

[EVENT: Course Reference:Mathematics  ] [EVENT: Course Reference:Ancient Languages  ] [EVENT: Course Reference:Modern Languages  ] I have determined to take the tickets of but two professors this year viz. Key'(P43622) & Long'(P43620) as the best part of their classes have had the advantage of being here before me I shall have a great deal of extra work to do before I can be on an equal footing with them. The next year I think will be time enough for Blatterman(P43621) as I shall then be so far advanced in my Classical studies as to be able to devote more of my time to him. Gray(P41221) has taken the tickets of the three professors whom I have mentioned, but as he is so well acquainted with the French perhaps he may be able to do justice to all three. He has chosen as a reason for himself No. 10 on the same range with mine.

Mr. Garrett(P43628) seemed rather shy of giving his advice concerning the Hotels, and we could not get him to come out with his opinion exactly but he recommended Mr. Minor(P44605) & Chapman(P43828) more strongly than any of the rest, and as several of my old acquaintances Richard Anderson(P34070) Ballard Preston(P27297) & Wm. Taylor(P32902) boarded (with the latter) there Gray(P41221) and myself have done so likewise. The fare at our Hotel is better than we have any right to expect.

I have not been here quite long enough yet to find out who are the most studious among the young men, but it took me a very short time to see that the greater part of them are doing nothing for the promotion of their educations, but on the contrary are doing something worse than throwing away their time. Wm. Eyre(P34081) is here and has been here for several days, he says that he came over from Hampden-Sidney(PL7468) with the view of taking a trial of the place and if he likes it shall become a resident. If you have heard from brother John(P47864) I wish you would mention something about him in your next letter to me. Tell me when you expect him at home & I shall write to him in a day or two. Do not forget to tell him about my watch. I could find great use for one whilst I am here.

My bed has been very much admired, all of the young men who have seen it wished that they had such a one. I find it very convenient and am much better pleased with it upon trial. Tell Charley(P22207) when he goes over to Cumberlant that he must remember me to all my old school fellows, and that I should be very glad if he would write to me and tell me something about them. Tell my dear sisters that I should be very glad to receieve a ________ [letter torn] of them whenever they can make it convenient and __________ [letter torn] have been from home almost constantly for the last three years that I have not received but one letter from any of them and that one from Sister L(P47866).

Give my love to all the family

Your affectionate son,

Philip St. Geo Cocke(P31195)