WILLIAM HIRAM RADCLIFFE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 05/13/1896 - HFSID 35371

WILLIAM HIRAM RADCLIFFE
The Harvard senior writes affectionate letter to a friend, discusses his view on Darwinism, signs name in black ink
Autograph letter signed: "Will" in black ink. 6 pages integral leaf, 4½x7 folded, 7x9 flat. Perkins Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. May, 13, 1896. In full: "My darling Sister:- It seems an age since I have heard from you - why is it you are so particular about the day and hour you write when you know your old "Grandpa" is so anxious to hear from you. You know you have time to burn, and could just as well write between times as not - you many say the same applies here but I assure you it does not. Have not for the last two weeks spent an evening alone - I was going to say at home, but will take that back - and during the day some one is always loafing around, making it almost impossible to concentrate one's thoughts. It happens at present (6:30 P.M.) I am alone - reclining in the window-seat, smoking as usual, and trying to write at the same time. A miserable failure I am making of it, but still, any old thing will warrant an answer, so here goes..."Sozadont" think we are twins. Peachy? Well, perhaps not since I am not a "June Bug". My friend Whiting, who is a strong believer in the Darwinian Theory has been trying for the past three months to convince me I came from a monkey. If such is the case, I am afraid you will claim no relationship whatever. However, I am not a Darwinian yet. You asked - "Did I have a large time this vacation?" Oh, immense. Considering the weather. No doubt you remember the rain descended - the floods came - the wind blew 0 then it snowed. Splendid weather for indoor life and as I said before - that part of it was immense. That was indeed a tempting programme you had planned for the week and I should have loved dearly to have been with you. But it was impossible. However, it will not be long before those beautiful hot days (nit) of summer arrive, and my dear little sister will be living - so to speak, with her old Grandpa on the banks fo the American Rhine - the Hudson - To come right down to the matter there is hardly a month yet before I leave Cambridge and Harvard for the last time. It will be with a certain amount of regret but still I would not care to spend another year here. Think it would be a waste of time and I am sure it would be a waste of money. Moreover, the most of my friend being Seniors would not be here next year and this, probably, is the main reason I am so willing to leave. Father would like me to spend one more year here, but I am perfectly satisfied with what I have had of the place - and unless something unforeseen at present cause me to change my mind this will be my last year at Harvard. I must say I have had a jolly good time during my three years here and although the majority of people, if they knew the ins and outs of a certain class here would call it a pretty fast life - it could not very well be otherwise, where so many fellows are thrown together and are practically, their own keepers. Now, my dear, must close this lengthy epistle and dress - as this is theatre-night and the boys are going to town. Now, be a dear, good little sister and write soon to you Loving brother". 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.