Trinity College, Cambridge.—Sends birthday greetings and congratulates him on his appointment as magistrate. The heads of houses have decided against letting students go down for the election, so he will not be able to run down to Exeter for the day.
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Transcript
Coll: SS: Trin. Cantab.
Nov. 17/68
My dearest Father
This is to wish you loads upon loads of happy returns of the day, and that every one may find you more prosperous and happy than the last. I am very vexed about some photographs I got in Dresden and meant to have sent you now: the photographer sent two short to Fraülein† Kretschmer’s, and there have been subsequent confusions so that they have not come yet. I must bring them to you at Christmas.
I have to congratulate you also on your new magisterial duties: and hope you won’t be too hard on me if I am ever brought up before you. The little holiday I was expecting has not come off; but I have had to scold several men for their bad taste in cutting my lecture to see the British Public nominate its elegant representatives. {1} It would have been very jolly to run down for a day—but I suppose the Heads of Houses thought the men would get into much greater rows at home if they were sent there. I hope your affairs will have passed off quietly, and that you have not got into any more danger from the independent electors. Very best love to dear Mama & the little ones from
Your most affectionate son
W. K. Clifford
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Letter-head of the Cambridge Union Society.
{1} A general election was held this year between 17 November and 7 December. Nominations of candidates in the various constituencies were held on 16 November.
