University of Virginia Library

September 21, 1826 from Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan
Manuscript, Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia

The whole college1 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 2 — 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 —