Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/151
Lincoln College
Oxford
22.2.1900
My dearest friend,
I herewith enclose fairly formal note for the magistrates benefit, and hope it will do. As I said before I am entirely ignorant of the medical side of vaccination, though whilst knowing that it has caused some loathsome fatalities,
Been laid up with influenza without my knowledge. However Maine turned up last night and slated me soundly for certain indiscretions. He gave me great satisfaction by writing on my drinking cup
QUITTEZ LELONG ESPOIR ET
LES VASTES PENSÉES
A cynical phrase that has haunted my memory and tongue delightfully ever since. You need not worry, sweetheart. Your
Recollect also that its introduction has been for followed by, whether or no it has caused, a diminution in the number of small pox cases. However let us hope the child will fare no worse than Julian for its early law breaking.
Miss Lucas’s letter is very kind. [illegible] it, and heads
Look out for her and for her smile in Blackwell’s, the bookseller’s.
My digestion is much the same and is not cured and isn’t going to be by a weakness almost amounting to poor to [illegible] usually. I am happy when ill and know how to make the best of tenderness of visitors. But I get no tenderness. My two tenderest friends Macalister and Maine having
Will you ask mother if she can pay my oil bill (she has it), or at least pay part of what I have just spent on a cap, a dress shirt, and a pair of socks for evening wear - 10/- otherwise I must go begging. I shall send you all I can when I am paid.
Goodbye. Give my love to all and kisses to Philip Merfyn. Remember me to Mary. I am ever and wholly yours Edward
Adieu
Cures me in an instant, probably - were you here. But my malady is fearfully complex: it is regrets, anxiety, disappointments, weakness, laudanum, wine, love of beauty and lack of beauty, books, men and women, a thousand things combined.
The weather is glorious. Lincoln has [illegible] six [illegible] though from ill luck has only
Risen from places; every one is slated. There is to be a drink tonight , which I shall attend rather against my will. I cannot stand the thought that Elsey was 50 yards away being toasted by the whole college: besides he may get drunk, and I should like to look after
Him, supposing I keep sober.
I have just paid £1/1 - for Divinity again, and am then very impoverished, and am anxious to hear from The Review and other papers. The exam is on March 10. I have written to The speaker asking for any article in “Shelley’s National Magic .”