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EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

May 11, 1949

Dear folks,

(above reminiscent of the notes I didn't take in reviewing) About the Generals yesterday. 4 hours. 1:2-hr question, 1:1/2 hour question in German or French to comment on, 5:20 minute questions. Quite a bit of choice. Almost all history; the only lit I did answer was on the 19th c based on sophistical knowledge. In fact nothing was as I had studied : none of my 17th stuff came in handy but its history which I had only pieced together, never studied; & in the other centuries it was superficial knowledge: but that is part of the purpose, since the questions are so general. For ex, I wrote the 2 hr question on the growth of political democracy from 1603 to 1914! I figured it massive enough not to go wrong on. I guess I passed (B is passing), but shan't know for a week or 2.  

Before the exam I went out with Bill for a few beers so as to be able to sleep well : tension was pretty bad. Just 2 glasses & I stagger with sleepiness. I was rather surprised at his attitude: he was very sweet & it had evidently hurt him; he wanted me to call if I changed my mind about this being the end of things. It's very hard. (But no interference with the exam.)

Herby took me to the "Tempest" last night: by the Harvard Drama Club. We had beer with [[strikethrough]] a f [[/strikethrough]] a couple he knows afterwards: [[strikethrough]] more [[/strikethrough]] another section man, very nice tho' not brilliant; from the U. of Va., Brook Pierce. His girl was a lively, experienced, sure girl who is very very [[strikethrough]] wise [[/strikethrough]] competent in English: shall teach at college next year, has her Ph.D. We are going to a cocktail party Saturday at Dunster House: downstairs, with males, & most of the literary bunch. I'm scared, but will try, he is good at easing into