Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/84
Lincoln College
Oxford
26.1.99
My dearest friend,
I was almost afraid to open your letter this morning, for I feared you would be annoyed at that mere telegram of a note. So you can guess how I was overjoyed when I found a letter so full of

Very well in spite of late hours. Don’t fret about late hours, though; for after Sunday we have to be in bed by 10.30 and I rise at 7 to take a walk and run before breakfast; which will last while we are in training; that is, for over three weeks. They are working me very hard this term, so. That in spite of my now
Health and contentment. The weather, too, ought now to satisfy you. The last few days have been very fine, the nights also; though very cold.
I am looking forward to seeing my aunt very soon at Oxford. She is going to stay with some friends here for several weeks. I dare say she will be here when
The [illegible] come off. They last a week - from the 16th to the 3rd. It now and less quite certain that I shall row in them, and I shall be very proud when I get my colours - blazer and cap and shirt of light and dark blue, with the college mitre. I row bow, but my weight is steadily increasing; I weigh 11 stone in my clothes. And I must say I am feeling
Lincoln College
Oxford
Unsociable habits, and at no time for reading and writing. Writing - this reminds me that I have been asked by the doctor to write for an undergraduate magazine called the J(unior) C(ommon) R(oom). The pay only 5/-an article, but however work; and I

Whom I like.
Excuse me now. It is dinner time and near 7. Goodbye, Helen. Yours and wholly yours, my own sweet little one, Edward. Goodbye
May earn a few shillings thereby; which would be useful to me in my state of bankruptcy. But I dare say they will [illegible] things when they see them - my writing is too - well! I is not numerous, which is what they want.
Haynes was at tea with me yesterday. He was very friendly and very interesting, and is going to take me to hear a speech at the “Union” tonight. He was full of the praises of “Aylwin”. I don’t see much of anybody and no body (Except Haynes)