Lot 226
Rutherford, Ernest
Handwritten letter to family friend W H Smith of Havelock, Marlborough.
[6]p. Wear. Archival repairs. Sent from Nelson College. Dated 8 February 1888, when Rutherford was 16. Rutherford seeks news of Havelock, until recently his home town. He relates a joke at the town's expense, which he describes as 'exceedingly terse and to the point'. He describes a rough trip by sea from Marlborough to his family's new home in New Plymouth: 'the saloon was like a battle-field - the dying sitting and laying on the floor in all conceivable postures.' He explains that, after just one night, he returned to the South Island via Wanganui and Wellington, arriving before the start of school. He describes College life at some length, mentioning that he has been moved up in Mathematics and Classics, and observing that Headmaster Mr Ford is happy in his recent marriage. The arrival of Ford's wife and five or six new boarders has led to the addition of another 'matron' but lamentably no improvement in food. Rutherford sends his respects to Mrs Smith. He tells Smith to write as soon as possible and to ask Belle Brownlee to do the same. He closes with a reference to the 'home-sickness of the new-boys', a condition to which the future Nobel Prize winner does not himself seem to be entirely immune. Charming and enlightening document. See also Lot 685. FA to G.
Realised: $2,300 September 2011

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