fellows here very much. The grub is somewhat changeable, sometimes very good, and sometimes bad; hardly time to eat it; and I have a thundering appetite after five hour's fieldwork.

Toronto, Sunday, November 7th.-We got a telegram to say that Upper Canada College from Toronto could not play us, so, as one of our masters had very kindly offered to give me a pass to Toronto and back, I profited by the opportunity of no lectures on Saturday, and an invitation to stay Saturday and Sunday with Frank Jones, to go down to Toronto for a party. It was a delightful one, and I went to dine with some other people afterwards. I went to dinner and supper at Trinity College, so it was a nice break. I start for Guelph by the 6 a.m. train, to be in time for lectures.

TO HIS MOTHER.

It

Ontario Agricultural College, December 8, 1880. -I wish you all a very merry Christmas. is not of course the first time I have been away at Christmas, only I feel more entirely separated than before. I shall think of you

all on Christmas eve. I dine with such a dear kind old lady; . . . she always sends kind messages to me through Frank's letters, asking after my family, etc. I am cramming now for Christmas examinations. I was so pleased to get all your letters. I got the cheque, and had to pay a great deal out, on farmingbooks, etc., such as "Youatt on Sheep," "on Cattle," "The Model Grazier," "Stonehenge on the Horse." We must have them for the lectures. Last Sunday there was a tremendous thaw; everything melted, and it was quite hot. I went to church in the evening; and it was horribly wet and sloppy. When I came out

everything was frozen solid. I wish I had got that pea-jacket Harold advised at Silver's. I have got no coat to work in, as of course my Norfolk jacket is too good--I mean that old home-spun; but it is cool work. My whole outfit was a mistake; as regards material, too good. strong suits of rough tweed, are what a man wants, for a two years' equipment in this country. That knitted waistcoat of Aunt Fanny's was a godsend; but of course only to be used on swagger occasions! The most useful thing in my outfit was that woollen waistcoat with sleeves. I wear very little clothing in the house, so as to feel the difference when I go out. My costume indoors is-breeches, gaiters, slippers, flannel shirt, home-spun coat. Waistcoat, tie, and collar are quite unnecessary, not to say unheard of articles, as of course we have not time to change after work. I forgot to tell you we have a literary society here. I had

Two good suits, and two really

to debate the Friday before last on "Resolved that ambition is a virtue." I was on the negative side and lost it. Last Friday I proposed the following debate: "Resolved that Vanity is conducive to the happiness of man.” The positives got the debate. Next Friday the debate is "Chewing is injurious to the health." The fellows chew here to the most disgraceful extent, they make the walls and floors simply "hoggish." Besides the debates, poetry and prose are read. We have a president, vice-president, secretary, critic, a committee of five. Every member pays twenty-five cents, and is bound to perform once in every term. Last Friday, one of the old country fellows was censured and expelled the meeting, for repeated disorderly conduct; he came in again, and in the end had to be carried out.

TO HIS MOTHER,

336, King Street, Toronto, December 27, 1880. -You see I am in Toronto for my holidays. I had intended stopping at the College, and I did stop till the ten train, on Christmas day; but I found it altogether too hot for me up there. What with shifting me from one room to the other, to scrub the floors, and making me be in at 9.30, I thought the sooner I sloped the better. I was sorry, because I should have learned a good deal in farming those two weeks. I spent a very pleasant Christmas evening at the Trinity College. We drank "Absent friends." After dinner we drove to the family conclave, at the house of the head of the family. It was very nice, and reminded me forcibly of all at home. . . . I was very tired, as I had had very little sleep the last week and a half, over the horrible examination papers. Toronto is much warmer than Guelph. When