| Description | He has been working up the courage to write and he is more more contented than eight days ago when he heard he was not on the list of examination passes. It was his first examination for the second standard and many men have missed it. He writes about another candidate and his feelings of indignation. He thinks that although the local committee passed him, the central committee in Calcutta [Kolkata] might have taken a different view of his two law papers. He cannot imagine how Hay and Taylor passed as they were 'the laziest of the lazy in College'. William did not prepare with books, expecting that the ordinary course of his work would allow him to pick up the practical knowledge he thought was required. He made a mistake and wants to pass first next time, to redeem himself. Meanwhile he rests under 'the most odious imputation' from practical men who expected better from him. It will take more than a 'paper victory' to change this and he discusses its effects upon him before turning to other matters. He tahnks Uncle James [Stewart] for a 'pretty present' and his father for annotated 'Revues'. Based upon one note, he discusses the difference between self esteem and self love, and a line of [William] Cowper's. He refers to Looey's letter [Margaret Louisa Herschel] and gives messages for various people at home, noting his own and his father's sicknesses. His daguerreotype accompanies this letter from Calcutta [Kolkata]. |