ENPages
page_0001
4 Brick Court Temple
Nov: 17: 1900
My dear Willie
I ought to have written some time ago to thank you for your letter about All Souls. I felt annoyed at the time but have forgotten it now. It seems to have been a very close thing, and I had heaps of letters from different All Souls fellows saying how disappointed they were. I seem to have fallen between two stools. The historians, following the ridiculous custom of
page_0002
insisting on election by a kind of pass standard of aggregate marks in the special history papers wished to elect McDowall & myself. The lawyers on the same principle wished to elect Steel & myself. Neither side would give in, so I suffered the proverbial fate of a third string. McDowall is a good man & a clever, but they are bound to repent electing Steel. I wish very much that I had not confined myself to such a capricious election, for it is a painful thing for a man's pride to be rejected by a body whom he in no way respects
page_0003
in favour of at least one man he wholeheartedly despises. However the All Souls fellowship is losing prestige altogether, & good men like Raymond [Asquith] say they will never think of competing for it.
Harold Baker, with whom I dined last night, says that you & young Asquith both spoke at the Union last Thursday, & that your matter was very good but that you were very nervous. I hope you will go on with it. I am glad you won in the Cupper, & hope you may get far on towards the Final. When I remember it, it is generally a pandemonium.
I wish you would let me know the
page_0004
result of John Edgar's fellowship when it comes out.
I am very busy with my law & the Spectator. This week I have written on Lord Rosebery & Ritualism. I didn't think much of Lord R's rectorial address.
When do you return to the only country? I shall get home, I hope, about Dec. 23rd. Write cheery letters to Mother, for she seems depressed.
Ever yours
John Buchan
PS. I have put up Long for Secretary.
