Chapter II - Letters

Summary

The records of St Catharine's, rich in legal documents, are poor in letters; but among the papers left by Eachard are a number of letters written to him in or about 1680, which, with a few to be found in the Baumgartner Manuscripts, throw a clear if not brilliant light upon the inner life of the College.

Here is a communication sent to Eachard on 23 April 1680 by J. Votier:

“I never heard of the letter I sent a quarter of a year since: I did then desire an account, yet am not in capacity to pay at present.… His carriage hath been ill. Let the milliners etc be forbidden to trust him: he hath clothes enough for a quarter of a year, or 2 months. Take him off from Tobacco, he hath forced it on himself, he neglecteth his study, would run after wenches: I hope you will laugh him out of these things. Task him well for his book: If a strict hand be not kept over him he will do but little. Let not him know of this my writing. I will endeavour to get money, as soon as I can, when I know my charge: I desire care be used in casting up the accounts, and that the profit of his scholarship may be allowed […]