History of the Fife Pitcairns

302 THE FIFE PITCAIRNS.
boys trying to come the University dodge — which, of course, was
detected with half an eye.
The Vice-P. came up from town to present, and set me at work
upon the Articles the minute I came in — there being only y^ hour to
read them all. I was getting slightly pumped for breath at the 7th,
when two more came in, and we read them off, with 2 mins. to spare.
There was a man taking his D.D., and the custom is for them to
sit in the Divinity School from 6.30 till p.jo a.m., that if any
members of Alma Mater question their orthodoxy they may go and
reason with them. The only comfort this poor man had was the
offer of a coat by the Vice-Chancellor that would reach down to his
heels. He looked very blue at 10 o'clock when we all came com-
fortably from our breakfasts.
I asked the V.P. about your uncles, so we went into the Common-
room and had a look. Of course the Calendars that are published
yearly only go back to the beginning of this century ; but in some
other big vol. we found two of your name — viz. :
Robert Pitcairne of Balliol, B.A., 1768.
William do., D.M. by diploma, April 10th, 1789.
Robert may have migrated from Brazenose to Balliol, but William's
degree seems honorary. Perhaps he never took the usual degree ;
but, when he became a swell, they gave him an honorary one, as
they do at Commemorations now every year : par exemple, Lord
Derby, who never took his degree, but is now D.C.L., &c.
With our very kind regards to Mrs Pitcairn, who has recovered
her fatigue, I hope, and to your uncle, — I am, yours very truly,
M. H. Lee.
May $th 1874. Edith and Connie went to stay at Floors.
May 20th, Wednesday. Edith and Connie returned from
Floors.
In October 1874 Mr Pitcairn had a very severe illness
for four months, and it was not until the 28th of March
that he could take any duty.
Diary — continued.
1875, 28^ March. Went to church for the first time
since November last year. What shall I render unto the
Lord for all His mercies ? I read the Epistle.
April nth, Sunday. He says : "In God's mercy and
goodness I was able to preach again for the first time
since the last Sunday in October."