THE GROVE, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge. Jan.27/[18]89.
My dear Little Lion We arrived here last evening at half past 6 and found that Mrs Darwin had been so kind as to ask Reggie to come and meet us at dinner. Also he was invited to lunch here today, and this afternoon he will take Grace to the service in the chapel of one of the Colleges, and this evening to another. You know that there are a great many Colleges here, each with its Master, Tutors, Chapel, Library, Gardens and Students; and all prepare young men for examination by the University, which is a sort of head over all the Colleges and appoints Lecturers and Examiners, whom the young men must pass before if they want a degree, which is à certificate of having made good use of their education and being prepared to undertake the duties of life, some to be clergymen, others lawyers, others doctors, others schoolmasters. Many of the Colleges are most beautiful buildings and have lovely chapels and great old halls in which the students dine, hung with pictures of the famous men who have been educated at the College. Reggie's College "Trinity" is the largest of all and there are I think upwards of 600 students in it, more than in any two of the other Colleges. They are called undergraduates till they have taken their degree, that is graduated from "gradus" a step, for it is a step up in life to have graduated, which you can well understand. Mamma Reggie and Grace send their love to you. Give my love to Grandmamma and Hugh, a kiss to Dick and kind regards to Miss Brown and Mademoiselle. Your affectionate Old Lion.