Letters home to his parents; paper on religion; and two photographs : Beckwith with friends and Branner Hall

Burnham P. Beckwith 656 Lytton Ave. (C430) Palo Alto, CA 94301

Jan 3, 1923 Stanford

Dear Father,

I forgot that I would have to pay $96.00 tuition again at the beginning of the quarter and did not bring up enough money to last more than a week or two. I also have just payed 15.25 dollars as room rent and I will have to buy several new books. I now have about five dollars in the bank and about sixteen dollars in my room.

I was permitted to enroll in Oral Debate and expect to enjoy it very much. I do not know whether to try out for the Dippy again or not. I will send you a statement in a few days.

Your loving son, Burnham

Palo Alto California

Jan 13. 1923

Dear Father,

I have just finished typewriting my accounts for you, and I have spent several hours on them. Please forgive me for not writing you sooner as I have been very busy since I came up here and have not had an opportunity to write without neglecting my studies.

I have been trying out for the Dippy again and have done much better than last time I think. I am determined to make it some time as I believe I could develop some ability at newspaper work if I had the opportunity. I am trying to learn to use the typewriter a little as some of the courses require typewritten work and others prefer it. I have had to rewrite all my work for the Dippy on the typewriter and it has taken me hours to do it.

In spite of the fact that I took castor oil last night I am feeling fine this morning. We have had some cold rainy weather since Christmas but the sun is shining today.

I am in one of the boxing classes and have had three classes so far. The head of the department is my instructor.

The students here are raising quite a howl over the fact that so many of

Palo Alto California

our athletes were dis qualified or suspended last quarter because of poor grades. Personally, I would be glad if twice as ma ny were suspended. It is entirely too easy to slip thru Stanford without studying now. If requirements were lowered adiploma would only certify that the holder had lived near a college a few years.

I was slightly seasick the second day of my return voyage but enjoyed it nevertheless. I lost my new hat over the side of the boat when in the act of feeding the fishes. This disaster and the unpleasant circumstances under which it happened somewhat cooled my arder and enthusiasm for ocean voyaging.

I weigh 136 on the drug store scales here.

Your loving son,

Burnham

Palo Alto California

Jan. 15, 1923

Dear Father,

To-day has been a day of most pleasant surprises for me. We had an examination in Physics last Friday and as I had studied very little in preparation I was expecting a very low mark. Much to my surprise I found that I had received a very high grade.

I was delighted likewise to learn that I had made the Dippy on my second attempt. It looks like this would be a very interesting quarter for me.

My foot is still troubling me and everybody I talk to says that they had to have their calouses tacken out. Would you advise me to see a doctor about it?

I received my War Saving Stamp check some time ago. It came very promptly. Your check also came at the same time.

I forgot to include the last sheet of my statement in my last letter so I am sending it now.

Your loving son,

Burnham

Palo Alto, California

Jan 22, 1923

Dear Mother,

I really dont think you deserve this letter as I have received none from you since Christmas. However it is raining this afternoon and I have nothing to do.

I am now a full fledged member of the staff of the "Daily Palo Alto" which is the seventeenth largest college paper with a circulation of 2350. I just heard it arrive so I will look and see if my last story is in it.