COUNTRY LIFE
I AM tempted by a deep admiration for his character, energy and learning to recall a tribute paid to P. E. Matheson by the New College Senior Common Room when he retired. It took the form of a motto cut in the stone of a sun-dial:—
Qui tam strenuus egit ac fidelis Ut vix senserit hora quam fugaret, Huic postquam meritum otium est adeptus Horas stare velint sui fugaces.
Negant atque volant; volent serenae.
He delighted in the lines, but queried the use of " sui," to mean "hie friends." I am also tempted to recall one of the greater compliments—in his opinion—that he ever received, for it was of too light a texture to be recorded in the serious obituaries. He went with a company of dons during the penultimate war to help a farmer with his turnip-hoeing. When the farmer asked for a repetition of the visit, he added: "I hope you will include that excellent hoe-er, Mr. Matheson." He eradicated weeds with the same conscientious energy that he brought to bear on all his many and various activities.
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