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Trinity College | Cambridge
19 May 1927

My dear Gerald,

I have your letter of March 24 and am glad that lions and influenza had not then made an end of you. I have never had influenza yet, but shall probably have it to-morrow.

I am interested to hear of your intentions about taking a research degree and possibly coming to Cambridge. Of course I should be glad to see you here, but it is no good asking my opinion and advice, which are valueless, as I stick to my job and know hardly anything about scientific studies here. Do not call Nicholas a Professor: he may perhaps become one some day, if he is good, and so may you; but Professors do not grow on every bush.

The eclipse of the sun on June 29 has evidently been arranged by Rupert, and Hartlepool is to be the most eclipsed spot. North Wales will be sprinkled with Fellows of Trinity sleeping out on mountain tops; but those are youngish men, who want to be able to tell lies about it in their old age to a generation which did not witness it; and I cannot expect to live long enough for that. Most of June I shall spend with old friends in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, and at the end of August I expect to go on a motoring tour in Burgundy.

I hope you will keep well, and not fall out of your aeroplane on to geological objects, however attractive.

Your affectionate godfather
A. E. Housman.

My godfather {1} is now 88, so it is not an unhealthy profession.

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{1} John Tuppen Woolwright.

(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

Trinity College | Cambridge
4 Aug. 1928

My dear Gerald,

I got your letter of March 17 all right, and I have left it a long while without an answer; but I hope that your new rifle has protected you from lions and buffaloes hitherto. I am glad to hear you have become a Fellow of the Geological Society. Nicholas, who is going to be our new Senior Bursar, says he has kept a table for you in the laboratory. The Ellis you speak of was one of our Chaplains in the College chapel, and I knew him fairly well.

I spent a fortnight in June at St Germain near Paris, a place with a splendid view and a forest close at hand, and I also motored about. I escaped the rain that they had in England, but it was not as warm as June should be. July has been fine and hot, and next week I am off to spend a month in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Hampshire. My godfather, in whom I hope you take a proper interest, is 89 and quite in good health, but losing his memory; so be prepared for my mental decay in 20 years’ time.

I hope both you and Oscar are well.

Your affectionate godfather
A. E. Housman.

[Direction on envelope:] Gerald Jackson Esq. | R.C.B.C. Ltd. | K’Changa†, via N’Dola | N. Rhodesia

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The envelope, which bears a 1½d. stamp, was postmarked at Cambridge at 9.30 p.m. on 4 August and at Ndola, N.W. Rhodesia, on 1 September.

(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

Trinity College | Cambridge
2 May 1929

My dear Gerald,

I was glad to have your letter of Jan. 28, with your photograph, which however made you look rather thin; though I suppose that is the right condition for a hunter, and perhaps for a geologist.

My godfather has died at the age of 88, so you must expect to lose me in 18 years’ time.

I expected to see Rupert last term, as he was coming up to a College Feast for men of his period; but just on the eve of it the Master of the College went and died {1}, so it had to be put off, I suppose till next year.

The Times has been printing snapshots of lions in the jungle. In one of them they were eating something, and I feared it might be you, but it was more like a zebra.

I am glad we may expect to see you back in England in the summer. I expect to be away from here most of July, but in residence most of August.

Your affectionate godfather
A. E. Housman.

[Direction on envelope:] Gerald Jackson Esq. | R.C.B.C. Ltd. | N’Changa | Via N’Dola | N. Rhodesia | South Africa

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The envelope, which bears a 1½d. stamp, was postmarked at Cambridge at 7.15 p.m. on 2 May and at Ndola, N.W. Rhodesia, on 25 May.

{1} William Mollison, the Master of Clare College, died on 10 March.