Oxford.

As Seen by a Wikitorian.

George Joseph writes to P.J.S. from Brasenose College, Oxford, as follows:—

"Since I have been here, my view-point on most things that matter has materially changed. It's curious—the broadening effect of travel. I have come to the conclusion that N. Zedders are insular-minded egotists, but lovable just the same, English people have a broad-minded good nature and tolerance for every-thing they can understand and an aggressive distaste for most things they can't understand such as Epstein and Internationalism.

"Oxford is a wonderful place. It is the peak of cosmos. There is an intangible 'je ne sais quoi'—pardon the cliche—which seeps into one no matter how blase one may think oneself. I enjoy every moment of my Oxford days. I succeeded in obtaining a Boxing Blue last term, and this makes things much brighter. Sport is a fetish here, and Blues are worshipped and asked everywhere. Here in Oxford one meets the finest type of Englishman, and I don't think there is a finer man. I've also represented my college in hockey, athletics, and coxed an eight, so altogether I'm getting a taste of everything. I'm doing D.Phil. in Law under Sir Wm. Holdsworth. The work is fascinating.

"Turning to the literary side of things, I have no complaint to make. . . . I completed a novel last Vac., and am just now anxiously awaiting my agent's report thereon. I'm also engaged on an historical play in collaboration with an Oxford Don, and this promises to be rather a successful venture. We've already succeeded in getting a prominent actor interested. Anyway, look out for the novel—'Destiny Road.'

"Just now Oxford is en fete. It is Eights Week—the week of the University year, when all the Colleges fight for the Head of the River. I am coxing one of the college eights and so far we are doing quite well. People just pour into Oxford, and one can hardly move in the streets.

"This University is the centre of extreme thought. Theres' a club for every type of mental kink, and the Union has debates on some remarkable subjects. The political view is, without a doubt, Socialism, young idealists groping with stubby, immature fingers—rather pathetic sometimes—almost an opiate for the growing fear of mediocrity."