CLASS OF 1877

The professional success of a member of this class is attested by the following, taken from a local paper of his region:

A TRIBUTE

To Dr. B. Franklin Neal, Ellenville, N. Y.

If Homer's verse did chant the praises fair

Of him whose knowledge could man's ills repair;

If ancient creeds as gods did set "apart

Those who prov'd most wise in the healing art:

If Aesculap made a deity divine,

Did him build temples, and adorn his shrine, —

Should not immortal Muse redoubled sing

Of such to whom science and skill doth bring

The power to vanquish pain, Or bid hope to soar again?

Then let me boldly voice the claim of one

Who, in our midst, so much has for mis'ry done,

Decreed us by some adventitious star

Or kindly fate which led him from afar,

To rich, to poor alike his aid to spend,

Nor night nor day his earnest toil to end:

E'er ready where humanity doth call,

With rare skill to soothe the heavy woes of all;

To tend, to cure the sick, the weak make strong,

To scatter blessings 'mid the suff'ring throng.

Long may to us be spared, for our weal,

Long dwell possess'd of potent Doctor Neal.

This tribute to thee extends

One of thy countless host of friends.