to. other institutions ; but there is
among us an illustrious and world-
renowed investigator who has never
been enticed away as a professor, but
who as an explorer penetrated regions
before unknown in the far West, and
who brought from them treasures as
marvelous as if he had carried in his
hand the lamp of Aladdin. As a scien-
tific writer, he has surpassed himself
as a scientific explorer; for these brilli-
ant discoveries were interpreted with
masterly ability and patience, and have
been put before the world in the best
of form, chiefly at his own expense.
His fossil horses, Epihippus, Orohip-
pus and Eohippus, with their two toes,
three toes and four toes, ancestors of
the racers of to-day, and his “bird with
teeth,” have become classical illustra-
tions of the evolution of higher animals |
and are fanious; but it is not so well
known that a thousand species of ex-
tinct vertebrates have been brought to
light by this great discoverer, many of
them of the highest significance in their
lessons and suggestions. ©
PRESIDENT: D.C.
GILMAN.
The study of zoology has been ren-
ovated during the history of this
school. The value of classification has
not depreciated, while that of embryol-
ogy, morphology and physiology has
become more apparent. The senior
biologist has- extended his operations
over a vast area and to the uttermost
depths of the ocean. Modest, learned,
patient and thorough, he has described
the marine fauna whose existence has
been brought to light by systematic
dredging. One hardly knows which is
the more wonderful, the limitless num-
bers or the varied structures of new
species which he has introduced. An
able colleague, concentrating his atten-
tion upon the crustacea, though not
exclusively, carries on and extends the
investigations which gave to Dana no
small part of his early renown.
In the group of pure and applied
mathematics the school may not have
made as many advances as it has in
other branches; if so, the reason may
be found in the fact that the teachers
have been absorbed in class-room work,
and have consequently missed the op-
portunities which otherwise they would
have surely enjoyed as experts or as
consultants in the various departments
of civil, mechanical and dynamic en-
gineering. But there was a_ period
when the leader of this group investi-
gated with ability, ingenuity and pa-
tience the nature of comets and the
Principles of molecular and cosmical
physics; and an earlier time, when he
made an important series of investiga-
tions upon the set of wood and metals
after transverse stress.
_ Whatever else is omitted from this
imperfect sketch, mention must be
made of the improvement in the manu-
facture of astronomical lenses, which
after a study of the mathematical laws
involved, were matured by a practical
demonstration, pronounced successful
by eminent astronomers, and then
adopted by skilful telescopists. This
distinction belongs to a former student,
an actual professor in the Sheffield
School. Physiological chemistry is one
of the latest additions to the subjects
here taught. At once, in this depart-
ment, the school has risen to the fore-
most place. Nowhere else in this
country, not in many European labora-
tories, has such work been attempted
and accomplished as is now in progress
on Hillhouse avenue, unobserved, no
doubt, by those who daily pass the
laboratory door, but watch with wel-
coming anticipation wherever physiol-
ogy and medicine are prosecuted in the
YALE ALUMNI
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2)
modern spirit of research. The younger
workers in this corps have a right to
say that the speaker is not as familiar
with the doings of these later years as
he is with those of an earlier day. Un-
questionably this is so; but there is
this consolation, that another voice, at
another time, will then do them ample
justice. Seniores ad honores, juniores
ad labores.
A GALLERY OF PORTRAITS SUGGESTED.
The review to which you have now
listened has suggested a gallery of por-
traits which ought to be etched by
some Rembrandt of the pencil or the
pen. before the characteristics are for-
gotten. At the gateway of Trinity Col-
lege, Dublin, stands the figures of Ed-
mund ‘Burke and Oliver Goldsmith; in
the anti-Chapel of Trinity College,
Cambridge, the statues of Isaac New-
ton and Francis Bacon. I would not
compare our worthies with those of any
other college or ask for them. all the
portraiture of marble and bronze; but
TI would emulate the example so com-
mon to old countries of honoring in
the places of their activity illustrious
men. Not to mention those now liv-
ing, how many pairs there are whose
portraits might be pendants. ‘Tablets,
busts, paintings or etchings might be
placed in honor of them all.
Whitney and Dana, well described by
the Master of the House in his memo-
rial discourse, are entitled to distinc-
tion as philosophers, both renowned
throughout the world; John P. Norton
and Benjamin Silliman, Jr., the two
young chemists who perceived so dis-
tinctly the needs of the times; William
A. Norton and John A. Porter, who
invigorated the school in a critical
moment by their presence and their.
instructions; Lyman and Trowbridge,
promoters of the mechanic arts, able to
apply their mathematical abilities to
practical affairs; Eaton; the lover of
nature and the interpreter of hidden
laws of life; and Walker, the far-famed
economist and statistician, the soldier
and the patriot—all these have gone
over to the majority, leaving the school
rich in the remembrance of their abili-
ties, services, influence and devotion.
Three of the earliest class that gradu-
ated are still connected with it, strong,
honored and rewarded for life-long ad-
herence to noble ideals. Around them
are scores of juniors, just. as vigorous,
just as hopeful, just as gifted as those
by whom they have been taught. May
gratitude and honor reward them all!
I have lately heard this story. A
certain king, instituting a brotherhood,
promised all who would join it marble
monuments which should be placed in
rows upon the sides of an aisle.. “A
hundred years hence,’ he sald, “you
will see that the effect will be fine.”
“Thank your majesty,’ said one of the
brothers, “the King will doubtless be
here then, but I shall not.” — Sons,
brethren and fathers, one hundred years
hence many monuments will adorn our
halls and avenues. The effect will be
fine. We shall not be here to see them,
but the school, our sovereign, will be,
and great will be the satisfaction.
By this course of remarks you have
been reminded that this school was
founded in favorable environs, at a, pro-
pitious time, and also that it is only
one of many kindred agencies initiated
within the period under review. The
Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard
was almost coeval. In quick succes-
sion, colleges, departments of science
and independent institutes have ap-
peared in every State. Of these, not
a few have adopted the methods here
followed or have called to their sup-
port those who have here been trained.
For one stich institution, now celebrat-
ing its majority, permit me to acknowl-
edge with filial gratitude, the impulses,
lessons, warnings and encouragements
derived from the Sheffield School, and
publicly admit that much of the health
and strength of the Johns Hopkins
University is due to early and repeated _
drafts upon the life-giving springs of
New Haven.
THE FELLOWSHIP OF SCHOLARS.
This fellowship of scholars is one “of
the greatest satisfactions that the teach-
ers, graduates and students of a college
can enjoy. Many of us are aware that
we are but lay brethren, servitors or
postulants, in the temple of science,
disclaiming even the title of scientific
men; but every one of this concourse of
students must be conscious that he has
dwelt among the brethren, and that he.
can perform a part, though it be a very
humble part, in upholding and apply-
ing the principles that this school in-
culcates and for which it stands.
We are enlisted, commissioned offi-
cers and privates, in an army which is
not restricted to provincial recruits, and
which carries light arms and heavy
ordnance. Far and wide throughout the
civilized world; in obscurity and
poverty, or in stations of affluence and
influence; alone or in companies; with
complex engines and penetrating lenses,
or with the unaided powers of masterly
brains; now searching the depths of
earth or ocean, now watching the stars ©
in their courses, now bending over the
microscope, the blow-pipe, the alembic,
the comparator or the spectroscope;
and now engaged in abstract reason-
ings, wondering that these mathemati-
cal relations have been so long con-
cealed; often disappointed or led to
merely negative results, and yet some-
times encouraged by an addition to
science or by the perception of a law
hitherto tnobserved—in all their di-
versity of powers and occupations, a
noble corps is engaged in overcoming
Ignorance, that omnipresent foe, and
the destructive cohorts that Ignorance
leads. Fear, superstition, bigotry, error,
misery, weakness, pain and sloth are
put to flight by this array of wisdom
against folly.
NO PESSIMISM IN THESE RANKS.
It gives courage to remember that the
work of each generation is continuous
with that of the past. The departed are
with us. Thought as well as matter is
indestructible. As the long list of
philosophers, from Pythagoras and
Aristotle to Isaac Newton, the great
apostle of modern science—qui genus
humanum ingenio superavit—prepared the
way for the achievements of the nine-
teenth century, so men now living are
heralds and pioneers of discoveries and
conquests dimly foreseen or faintly fore-
told. Therefore it is not strange that.
while the note of anxiety and despond-
ency is heard in other spheres, no pes-
simistic ¢ries proceed from our ranks.
Slowly, steadily, surely the stately
column marches on, “never resting,
never halting.” Victory follows vic-
tory: light penetrates darkness: Health,
Temperance, Enjoyment, Virtue and
Piety follow knowledge.
Finally let me say, with the solem-
nity of deep conviction, that dearer than
the fellowship of brethren, deeper than
the love of knowledge, too precious
to be ever given up, too sacred for care-
less speech, is the invigorating and in-
spiring belief that Science in its ulti-
mate assertions echoes the voice of the
living God.
You have traced the evolution of an
idea; you have seen how it has come to
pass that in Yale, as in other univer-
sities, mathematical, physical and nat-
ural science receives ample recognition.
At first, in the Sheffield, chemistry was
alone; engineering soon found a place;
mathematics, physics and astronomy
joined the oligarchy; in due time, min-
eralogy, geology, physical- geography,
zoology, botany and physiology found
a welcome; modern language and litera-
ture, history and economics, became
strong allies. Not a word was spoken
in disparagement of classical culture,
nor a word of religious controversy.
You have heard the story of humble
beginnings, gradual expansions, lofty
ideals, personal sacrifices, munificent
gifts, public services, abundant rewards;
and also of well-founded hopes, looking
forward to a second half-century of life
and growth. Can I close with words
more suitable than those of Laplace, as
he reviewed his long life:
‘* That which we know is little; that which
we do not know is boundless.’’
a
American Board of Foreign
Missions,
The eighty-seventh annual meeting of
the American Board of Foreign Mis-
sions was formally opened Tuesday
afternoon, Oct. 12, in the Hyperion
Theater, New Haven, and remained in
sesion during the Wednesday, Thurs-
day and Friday following. The ad-
dress of welcome was delivered by Pro-
fessor George P. Fisher, ’67-Hon., of
Yale.. The Rev. Henry A. Stimson,
D.D. ’65, was elected Editorial Secre-
tary of the board for the coming year,
and James W. Bixler, ’87 T.S., was
made a member of the Corporation.
Among the Yale graduates in attend-
ance were the following: James Brand,
‘66. EL cA. Brideman, 287°1.S.: “Robert.
Crane*-"43- MS: Gr Po‘ Eastman, “80
Poo Ps 1 Greene So [:S.3° An as
“Grein;**04 °°T S-* OW W..’ Jordan, °762
oe Samuel” Jonneon,’*'50; — Feber
Miéens,-’a1. 1:S.3 J. W. Moulton; 00
SG. We Phillips; "05 -T.S.;" Atire--
lian Post, ‘94 T.S.; James. H.. Roberts,
e--F +B. Richards, 91 T.S.:. Henry
A. Stimson, °65;. GC. N.. Southgate; 60:
tS. Sanborn. 02; John R. Thurston.
’51; Joseph Twichell, *590; James G.
Vose, ’51,,and A. J. F. Behrends, ’go-
Hon. :
we i ee
Elections to the Junior
Fraternities.
The following men from the Senior
Class were initiated into the Junior fra-
ternities “Oct,.« 26> Alpha -Délta*-Pirt
James Coffinberry Brooks, of Cleveland,
©.; Psi Upsilon, John Randolph Pax-
ton, Jr, of New York -: Gitys = pete
Kappa Epsilon, Ashbel Hinman Bar-
ney, of New York City.
penne fe
A New Course to be Offered in
the Art School,
It has been definitely decided to offer
in the Art School next year an elective
course in elementary architectural draw-
ing for Juniors in the Academical De-
partment. This course will prove of
great advantage to students who pro-
pose taking up the study of architec-
ture alter leaving college. ss
The Art School Faculty have long
been desirous of establishing a Depart-
-ment of Architecture, and Professor
Niemeyer as concluded that a begin-
ning can and ought to be made in this
direction, and he proposes to add to his
course in drawing the study of archi-
tectural forms and of historic ornament.
The subject once having been intro-
duced, it is hoped that the full develop-
ment of a department may become inev-
itable.
——— ee oo
The Iflliterate American Col-
legian.
[Hartford Courant. ]
Of course colleges cannot expect to
pay much attention to the insignificant
questions of technical workmanship
which are of such great importance in
a printing office. Nevertheless, there
is not a college in the country, with all
their elaborate systems of courses in |
Rhetoric and Literature that does not
give its degree every year to young
men who cannot spell, or rather who do
spell common English words ina novel
and startling manner, who are ignorant
of the ordinary rules of punctuation
and cannot produce a page of legible
manuscript, or write an ordinary letter
of friendship or business without errors
that we usually associate with the very
young or the entirely uneducated. This
may be the fault of the English lan-
guage; it may be the fault of the pre-
paratory schools, or it may be the fault
of the colleges. It is a fact, and while
it remains a fact there will seem to the
outsider a trace of the farcical in con-
ventions of teachers of literature and
rhetoric and in elaborate reports on
college requirements which do not in-
clude what every newspaper requires of
its reporters and compositors. We do
not presume to give advice on the sub-
ject of the study of English, but one
question suggests itself to us: Why do
so large a proportion of Englishmen
write correctly and intelligently? Why
is a letter from an English schoolboy
usually workmanlike and creditable?
Is it because he does not study litera-
ture or is the early drill more thor-
ough?
pr i Be
Dr. Francis R. Packard writes in the
Journal of the American Medical Asso-
ciation that the first medical degree
granted in New England was an hon-
orary one, bestowed on Daniel Turner,
of Connecticut, by Yale College, in
1720. As this was intended as a token
of gratitude for Dr. Turner’s liberal
gifts to the College, and not as a recog-
nition of any particular fitness on his
part to practice medicine, a wit of the
time interpreted M.D. to signify mul-
tum donavit—he has given much.