Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan
| Dear Sir, | University. Septemr 21st 1826 |
The whole college has been put in great consternation by the prospect of an examination—There is to be a general one on the first of December, which will occupy the time of the students till the fifteenth—the time for breaking up—
It has not yet been determined whether there will be any diplomas, or doctor’s degrees given—but I should hardly think there will be any such thing, as this is only the second year of the institution & in other colleges three and four years are required in order to take a degree—that is, that time is supposed to be necessary—altho they sometimes confer them before—if the applicants are qualified—
Tho it will hardly be fair to examine those who have only been here one session, with those who have been here two—and some of whom have come from other colleges—still I suppose I shall have to stand my examination with the rest—
I have been studying a great deal in order to be prepared, and dare say I shall come off as well as the rest of them, that is—if I don’t get frightened—Perhaps you will have some business up here about that time, and then you can judge for yourself—
They have nearly finished the Rotunda—The pillars of the Portico are completed and it greatly improves the appearance of the whole—The books are removed into the library—and we have a very fine collection
We have had a great many fights up here lately—The faculty expelled Wickliffe last night for general bad conduct—but more especially for biting one of the student’s arms with whom he was fighting—I saw the whole affair—it took place before my door—Wickliffe was much the stronger but not content with that—after getting the other completely in his power, he began to bite—I saw the arm afterwards—and it was really a serious matter—It was bitten from the shoulder to the elbow—and it is likely that pieces of flesh as large as my hand will be obliged to be cut out—He is from Kentucky—the same one that was in suspension when [. . .] you were up here some time ago—Give my love to Ma and Miss Nancy—I remain, Your’s affectionatly