The life and letters of Benjamin Jowett, M. A., master of Balliol college, Oxford.

836-I84o0]

Graduation

65

his delicate complexion, high-pitched voice, finely tapering hands, and small well-moulded feet, contributed to
strengthen the illusion.
By a custom which prevailed for some time after
Jowett's election, the lessons in Chapel were read by
the two junior Fellows, and the undergraduates were
interested and perhaps amused to see this function
assumed by one of themselves 1.
The Long Vacation of 1839 began sadly. Much of
it was spent at home. His sister Ellen, who had long
been in failing health, died at Tenby on July I in that
year. Jowett's grief was silent but very deep. He wrote
of it at the time to his friend Greenhill; and in more
than one letter written during the last years of life he
spoke tenderly of those of his family whom he had
lost as being never absent from his thoughts.
The name of Benjamin Jowett appears in the First
Class in Literis Humanioribus, Michaelmas Term, I839, in
the same list with Stafford H. Northcote of Balliol, and
James Fraser and William Kay, both of Lincoln College.
Before taking his degree he had engaged in private
tuition, and among his first pupils-not counting his
brothers Alfred and William Jowett, whom he had
tutored in the Long Vacation of I838-were T. H. Farrer
of Balliol2, who took honours in Easter Term, 1840, and
his cousin Oliver, who appeared in the same Class List.
Lord Farrer's reminiscences contain the best record of
the impression which Jowett produced on others at this
time, and may fitly conclude the present chapter:1 W. L. Newman and Charles to the Fellowship. The SchoS. C. Bowen (Lord Bowen) are the lars' privilege was abolished in
onlyundergraduate Scholars who, I857.
since Jowett, have been elected 2 Lord Farrer.
VOL. I. F