Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W.J. Sollas
Title
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W.J. Sollas
Date
Identifier
GFF 6/70
Description
A handwritten letter from W.J Sollas to professor Fitzgerald in which he outlines his recent trip to Newhaven University. Sollas has enclosed an letter for the Provost in which he asks for Fitzgerald to pass on to the university Bursar.
The letter then discuses he addition of Girls in Oxford university.
5pp.
Transcription:
my dear Fitzgerald,
I have just come home after installed in Newhaven. The college buildings were a surprise to me: I had no idea that the women had been able to afford anything so fine. But they have [metamorphosed?] the country: even the "y/dx" along which we used to take our constitutional has disappeared,
I have written to the Provost it explains itself. If you think it would not be bad form to send it would you put it in the inclosed new envelope and give it to the Booth to deliver, If it would, might I ask you to call on the Bursary on my behalf for the usual quarters cheque (£125) and £11,,14.0 for wages, the receipt for which I sent to the Professor.
I have hesitated a good few [bushes?] alone, that remains is the hedge rows stand on the college grounds to mark its place. I used to abase my old college friends for getting married and going to his villas instead of college rows. but this time I foundI had cause to be grateful to them, for I could introduce the girls to their wives: and a good many of their wives were once Newhaven and Girton Girls! If this goes on and sexual selection is guided by the intellect the,
Universities will have succeeded in a task which baffles Frederick the Great!
So far we found Oxford delightful and Oxford men I am to know have been greatly misaligned. They are simply not affected in manners and full of kindness.
I shall look forward equally to the result in the election in the 13th. I trust it is beyond doubt.
In conclusion I am going to ask you to do me a favour: I enclose a letter good while before troubling you. But when the Bursar doesn't answer either or acknowledge then except what can I do?
Mrs Sollas joins me in kind regards and love,
With yours sincerely,
W.J Sollas
The letter then discuses he addition of Girls in Oxford university.
5pp.
Transcription:
my dear Fitzgerald,
I have just come home after installed in Newhaven. The college buildings were a surprise to me: I had no idea that the women had been able to afford anything so fine. But they have [metamorphosed?] the country: even the "y/dx" along which we used to take our constitutional has disappeared,
I have written to the Provost it explains itself. If you think it would not be bad form to send it would you put it in the inclosed new envelope and give it to the Booth to deliver, If it would, might I ask you to call on the Bursary on my behalf for the usual quarters cheque (£125) and £11,,14.0 for wages, the receipt for which I sent to the Professor.
I have hesitated a good few [bushes?] alone, that remains is the hedge rows stand on the college grounds to mark its place. I used to abase my old college friends for getting married and going to his villas instead of college rows. but this time I foundI had cause to be grateful to them, for I could introduce the girls to their wives: and a good many of their wives were once Newhaven and Girton Girls! If this goes on and sexual selection is guided by the intellect the,
Universities will have succeeded in a task which baffles Frederick the Great!
So far we found Oxford delightful and Oxford men I am to know have been greatly misaligned. They are simply not affected in manners and full of kindness.
I shall look forward equally to the result in the election in the 13th. I trust it is beyond doubt.
In conclusion I am going to ask you to do me a favour: I enclose a letter good while before troubling you. But when the Bursar doesn't answer either or acknowledge then except what can I do?
Mrs Sollas joins me in kind regards and love,
With yours sincerely,
W.J Sollas
Source
RDS Library & Archives GFF collection of letters
Contributor
Rights
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
Relation
RDS Science Archive
Format
Manuscript
Language
English
Type
Coverage
1870-1901
Collection
Citation
Sollas, W. J. (William Johnson), 1849-1936, “Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W.J. Sollas,” RDS Digital Archive, accessed July 18, 2025, https://digitalarchive.rds.ie/items/show/2080.