University. Septembr. 21st 1826

Dear Sir,

The whole college has been put in great consternation
by the prospect of an examination--There is to be a
general on 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 [sic] they sometimes confer them before--
if the applicants are qualified--

Tho' [sic] it will hardly be fair to examine those who
have only been here one session, with those who have been
here two--and some of whom have come from other
colleges--still I suppose I shall have to stand my exami-
nation 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--Give my love to Ma and Miss
Nancy--I remain,

Yours affectionatly [sic]

Edgar A. Poe