Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/162
Lincoln College
Oxford
25.4.190
Wednesday
My dearest friend,
I have had neither pen, ink nor paper in my lodgings till my luggage came this afternoon, and all yesterday I was arranging my pictures, the books already here, and the photographs. A few spare minutes I spent on the river with Davies. Now at last - at 5pm - I have got everything straight and while my tea is is preparing I have some leisure.
My rooms are quite satisfactory and
Pear trees flowering in sight, and thousands in the country round. I hope you will see the blame , for my delay in sending the money will not prevent you from spending a day with [illegible] as you proposed.
I have succeeded in telling you a lot of things and yet my letter contains nothing. I am sorry and only pray that my work will not dull my letters too much. Give my love to father and mother and Philip Merfyn.
Goodbye dearest.
I am yours and wholly yours
Edward.
fairly quiet, too far off for needless acquaintances and near enough for friends to call. I have even worked in there already. Tonight I shall dine here, ( yesterday I dined in Hall) and I shall report on the cooking. Please tell mother that I shall take the first opportunity of a monthly settlement with the landlady.
Please give (Illegible) 1/- of the enclosed 4/-
Davies by the way is going to stay on at Oxford, financed by a wealthy and friendly parson, on the promise (practically) of going as a missionary to Uganda after his degree.
(Illegible) has not yet arrived and moreover hasn't written to say when he will.
By the way you must leave nothing untried to prevent a recurrence of the anxiety last month. I suppose you expect now to begin.
The weather is very fine and has been, excluding a little rain early this morning. There are several