The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-16
EARLY OXFORD LIFE.
How Students Lived and What They
Spent 800 Years Ago.

The letters from which these extracts
are published were written from Brase-
nose college, Oxford, between the years
1908 and 1911, and are interesting as
giving a picture of the life Of an I'M
dergraduate in the early years of the
reign of James i. The spelling has been
modernized.
The writers of the letter Richard
Taylor, appears to have acte- as tutor
to the two sons Of Sir Peter Leigh of
Lyme. and writes from time to time.
giving reports Of their studies and
Hanley, Cheshire, was granted to the
Leghs Of Lyme by the Black Prince, in
recognition of services rendered at the
battle of Cressy, and has remained in
the same family over since that time.
In his flrst letter, dated No
vember 80. 1908, Richard Taylor writes:
your sons, I thank God, are both
well, and do follow heir1business or
Derby and with good Z. commentator.
but the great dearth OF all things-espe-
cia1ly in this place-have raised their
expenses IN short time so much that
Just three score, pounds In the whole,
was near quite ended at sMichaelmas
last. and yet, L am sure there is none
of their rank which have lived so
thrifty as they have done.
In 1909 he writes again:
L
the last 60 comes to 2130 (out OF
which sum ELS being deductedO, which
Is your set allowance for two years al
ready ended, there remains only 41O.
Now your worship was pleased that
Els should be for discharging their ad-
mission and making their gowns at the
first, so that there is 95, according to
this reckoning. to be received by me
for the evening OF my accounts until
Christmas. But the truth is have al
ready disburseds for them in all since
their first coming 2139 6s. 3D.. as Will
appear at any time by the particulars
in my book. ~
Neither can I possibly keep your
elder son, Mr. Francis Leigh. within the
compass of ESQ. For I have set down
their expenses apart. either by himself.
and I find there is almost 9S differ
ence in this short time, neither can !
inpute 1t to anything but his height.
which is extraordinary for his age. viz.
full six foot and two Inches
In September he writes:
'aThe sickness here in Oxford, trust
in God, is quite ceased, but l am GER
tilted from your nephew, MI Edward
Iathom "a son of Sir Peters only sis
ter1. this last week, that in London
there died the week before OF the
sickness 30" Is -
Although Francis Leigh must have
been about eighteen or nineteen at this
time, neither he nor his protner were
allowed any pocket money; their al,
Francis seems to have protested against
this system.
Your elder SON thinks he should have
his own money. which hold altogether
inconvenient; for experience hath
taught me Ito let other reasons pass)
that some young gentlemen. can hardly
be kept in any order, let them but have
an angel or two in their purses. l
think there is SO many Inconvenience
therein. as first it will not be In my
power. on Fridays and Saturdays sup
pers- to keep them out Of the town
as now donor at many other times
to keep them out OF the worser and un-
thriftier sort Of gentlemen company II
they be known to have money In their
own custody; nay, they should lose the
favor if they would not lend them mon
ey at their need, and II they lent 1t
UNCONSTITUTIONAL Review.