Cambridge University this week unveiled a letter written by Charles Dickens to his 19-year-old son, just as he was starting life as a Cambridge undergraduate.

Arriving after his matriculation at Trinity Hall in October 1864, the letter offers the collected advice and wisdom of his father, as well as addressing several practical issues that will seem familiar to many of today’s students.

Penned while the great author was staying at a hotel in Liverpool, the letter shows some of Dickens’ concern for his son’s wellbeing while studying Maths at Cambridge. Beginning “My Dear Harry,” the message outlines practical considerations surrounding his £250 annual allowance. Dickens is quick to warn his son about spending: “I strongly recommend you to buy nothing in Cambridge.”

Taken in the context of the recent tuition fee increases, and increasingly large student loans, some of Dickens’ words begin to take on an edge of irony. “Now observe attentively,” the neat cursive text urges. “We must have no shadow of debt.”

Dickens also showed concern for his son’s social life; the missive mentioned a consignment of alcohol bound for Trinity Hall, including a total of 72 bottles of wine and sherry, six bottles of brandy, and two dozen bottles of port. A £25 cheque accompanied the letter, and we can only assume that this was to cover the cost of a visit to the Cindies of 1864.

While happy to fund his eighth son through a Cambridge education, Dickens Senior still makes clear that he wants to see a return on his investment. He reminds his son of the hardships that he had to endure as a child, forced into work at the age of twelve after his family spiralled into debt.

Charles goes on to reiterate his great expectations: “I trust to your improving the advantages of your past expensive education,” he writes, though reminding his son that he is always able to confide in him. “You will never find me hard with you while you are manly and truthful.”

The letter was donated to Trinity Hall by Christopher Dickens, one of Harry’s grandchildren, and this announcement coincides with the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth.

Dr Jan-Melissa Schramm, fellow in English at Trinity Hall, has written two books about Charles Dickens, the second of which will be published in June 2012. She said: "The letter speaks very powerfully to the parents of students today, not only about caring for their children’s spiritual well-being, but also about supplying their material wants.

"It is also very poignant the way that Dickens advises his son about the perils of getting into debt, which of course meant a great deal to him in his childhood."