Autograph Journal of John Aidan Mulvany, student of St George's College, Weybridge, and the Roman Catholic seminary St. Cuthbert's College, Ushaw, Durham.

243pp., 4to., with a further 11pp. of jokes and recipes at end. Separate section (31pp., 4to), covering 21 February to 15 March 1919, loosely inserted at end. In fair condition, on aged paper, with detached marbled boards and worn red cloth spine. Mulvany's stamped and signed National Registration Acts certificate, issued on 28 March 1918, is laid down on inside front board, and other items, including autograph accounts and telegrams, are loosely inserted. Mulvany writes with a freshness and youthful enthusiasm: 'Two lovely mails from India. Charlie preached a most awful sermon. Knocked down apples with a rake at dinner time. Basil Barry elected Captain!!!', and the journal is filled with everyday detail. The first entry sets the tone: 'September 1917. Thursday 20th. Celebrated - rather poorly - the sixteenth anniversary of my birth. Received Holy Communion for Mother and Father. As presents I had £1 from Mother and Father, and 4/6 from Fr. Edward, and 5/- from Auntie Eileen. For my presents I bought "Matthew Arnold" from Fr Edward, Scott, Milton, Keats, Essays of Elia and a Shakespeare birthday book from home, the rest of the money I spent on sundries: - two shillingsworth of cakes, a half crown photo-album, the "Odd Volume", seccotine, "Fragments from France" (no 4), a ball of string, two pots of fish paste etc. During the eleven o'clock study I replenished my store of apples; and during the afternoon I executed messages for Fr Edward & Mr Anselm to the total value of £2. Purchased N. B for Pourveur. Weather improving, playground drying up. Starry night. Denis played "Piquet" in my room (no 7) after T. The Oxford Results (10 Passes) appear on the board. Took an inventory of my prizes. Have about 25. Two I have lost, and two lent. Started "Lorna Doone" yesterday. Very good. Sent Flossie the "Odd Volume". Started wearing Sodality Medal and Scapular Medal on my chain. Put a swivel on my Medal Ribbon in case of emergency.' On 29 September 1917 he 'Watched night air raid on London. Lovely.' The following day he 'Attended my last sodality meeting as a nonentity.' On 1 October he leaves Weybridge: 'God knows how sorry I was to leave the dear old Coll.' Two days later he writes regarding Ushaw: 'Do not care for the place at all doubt I shall ever like it. Too conservative and strange. No playground. Playrooms for every school. No tea for teh chaps. Bread & butter at 7.30.' He describes the Ushaw routine and appearance of the church and refectory. By 8 October he is 'already bored to death of the place'. As the days proceed describes his studies and religious duties. On 18 January 1918 he has a 'Fight with Hartnett & shake hands & sprained thumb. [...] Hands dressed with lead lotion. Played cards.' On 30 April he complains of being on a 'Starvation diet.' He sits exams and joins the army cadets. On 14 July he complains 'Served mass at 10.30 with tiny kid. Quite absurd.' He acquires a bicycle and describes excursions to the Lake District and elsewhere. In July of 1918 he finds 'on arriving that I have PASSED MATRIC FIRST CLASS! My God! I cannot imagine it. I feel sure I did not deserve it.' On 2 November 1918 he receives a telegram (the original of which is loosely inserted) informing him that his mother is returning 'Via Cape am & following'. On 8 November 1918: 'Communion. Wet. Last nights news only a rumour! No play day. Armistice deliberations.' Three days later he hears 'that peace was signed. Saw official report in Chronicle office. [...] Hoisted flag on Coll after dinner. Changed Red White & Blue & played for Bonnad. v. Lancas. Good game though tired. Shot goal. Bonnad lost.' On 9 December 1918: 'In Mosh's school got letter from Dad Colombo & Telegram from Mother (Weymouth) saying arrive in London to-day. Heaven be praised! In the seventh heaven for the rest of the day despite incident after dinner. Went into playroom to take Charlie down to footy. Just going out when Booing started. Charlie turned round & I went back. All were quite when Charlie turn[ed] round, the lily livered skunks! I said "You are behaving like a set of cads, if you object to the term you may complain to the president!" Not a word. Corny at last said "Anything more." "This" I said, "It would be an excellent though original idea If you were were to act as gentlemen." Cox asked if I meant him. "I mean teh School." Individuals, if the cap fits may wear it.' He is asked to apologise, and says he will 'do so to school, excluding Bish & Plug, but they might boycott me out of the coll before I would look at two such calumniating cads.' The school votes to boycott him by 21 for to 13 against. Within a day the boycott is reversed, and he is reinstated as librarian. 'Much applause and movements carried unanimously except Quin (why I know not) Quite a satisfactory ending. All square, but I fear I have lost my rep. with little heads irrevocably.' On 4 February 1919 he explains how he is 'Going to try my vocation seriously'. By 30 March 1919 the plans for his future have changed: 'Dad writing to Bank of England about me.' On 25 April: 'Nomination for Bank arrives.' On 29 April: 'Took 10.38 to London Bridge. Had interview at Bank 1 Medical exam to morrow at 10 2 Exam in Arithmetic & Geography on Friday 3 Salary £100 & £50 Wardrobe.'