WILLIAM HIRAM RADCLIFFE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/01/1896 - HFSID 35387

WILLIAM HIRAM RADCLIFFE
The young student writes letter to his fiancé on Harvard's Lawrence Scientific School letterhead, signs name in black ink
Autograph letter signed: "Wm. H. R -" in black ink. 6 pages integral leaf, 8x10½. Written on Harvard University, Lawrence Scientific School letterhead. Cambridge, Massachusetts. March 1, 1896. In full: "My dear little Sister:- Your charming letter received many thanks for following my direction in regard to its length. Hope you did not, and will not become weary in well-doing. Was somewhat disappointed in not receiving those "locks" but perhaps you are right about it. I never heard of its being "bad luck"; if it is so, of course, you must not send them. And your old Grandpa will have to content himself with that "thing of no numerical value" till next summer when I propose to break one of the commandments - that one which says, "Thou shalt not steal" and help myself. You can in the mean time decide upon which one gives you the most trouble. I hope that cold which was annoying you when last writing has entirely disappeared, and you are again enjoying good health. Above all things do not get those little "tribbles" wet, or you will again feel as if you wanted to rub Vaseline on your voice, and wonder if life is worth living. Now, my dear, you asked if I had made up those lost hours as yet. No, by no means, instead of which I have been adding to them and I now feel as I had a hopeless case before me. As a matter of fact, for the last two weeks I have returned early - I don't think. I am now taking that great big loaf I spoke about and have not opened a book to "grind" since mid-year. Will have to begin about next week. By the by, you say you are talking up "phonography". What tell - does that mean the construction of phonographs. If so, will give you this encouragement namely, that there is vast ground for improvement on them. Am sorry you did not tell me the rest of the studies you are taking as I might suggest some food for thought, similar to the above. However, since you did'nt will give you this advice "Do not grind too hard." Which applies no matter what you are taking. So, Olga, has reached Brooklyn. Now Det, do be sure and see her and if possible see her in "Carmen". You will never regret it. I am getting to be a regular Theatre-fiend. My chum, Whiting, and myself can be seen about every other night wending our way to a certain Theatre in Boston. "What it is" you will say. Well, perhaps it would be hard to answer, at any rate will not attempt to - suffice it to say, it is a certain Stock Company we are dead gone on. Oh my dear little Peachy I want to tell you something - Did you know, when you lived in Flushing, a fellow by the name of J.E. Bunting? He happened to drop in the other evening - one evening I happened to be in and, after looking over some of the pictures on the wall came across that large one of "two heads with but a single though, two hearts that beat as one" - Well I was in the next room and happened to hear him say to Percival that he knew both those girls. I immediately came out and offered to bet him - that he did'nt, not knowing that he himself lived in Flushing. Well I asked him what were the names and do you believe it (?) he gave them both. Suppose, of course, since he knows you, that you know him - perhaps it might interest you to know that he rooms in Perkins Hall on the same side of the building and on the same floor as myself. Oh, "the indignation of the careless girl". "Careless girl", you say; no so much as "careless boy" I think, who wrote it - Careless in writing such a think why just think of it, dear, a love letter to a girl careless enough to bring it to school and then careless enough to lose it and let careless people, who care less for her feelings than for the careless boy who wrote it, read it in a careless manner and then carelessly throw it away. Yes my dear little sister, it is indeed careless and if you would do a deed of charity, tell that girl - that careless girl - to make that boy - that careless boy - use invisible ink. The next time he gives vent to his feelings. To illustrate this point I will send you a specimen - not of love, for this is leap=year, but of invisible ink - the separate sheet (4) [not included] contains one of your Grandpa's best - written in invisible ink - Upon holding the paper near the stove so as to heat it the writing will be easily seen. Now in case I ever write love-letters you will know how to read them, so be prepared. I am extremely sorry to hear the Doctor is ill with a bad pain in his neck. If he was here I would make him account for it. If I was there I would suggest he apply his "what is it" frequently and thereby alleviate the pain. But at the best it looks suspicious - damp hair - stiff neck - stiff hair - damp neck and the last stages of that man are worse than the first - and "I fancy a cold mush have settled there". Now, Det, if all this gets in an envelope - "God save the Queen" and may the Queen in the kindness of her heart pardon her old Grandpa for as usual he has been writing much and saying little. Now, my dear, shall expect to hear soon so au revoir". William H. Radcliffe (b. 1873) graduated from Harvard University in May 1896, and worked as an electrical engineer and professor. Radcliffe wrote Telephone Instruments, Their Operation, Arrangement and Management in 1913 and Home Study Course in Practical Electricity in 1916. Normal mailing folds. Toned. Light surface creases. Slightly soiled. Otherwise, fine condition.