Herewith THE MAGAZINE publishes as frontispiece
a print of the Pope portrait of Webster given last fall to the College by Edward Tuck. The history of the painting was outlined in THE MAGAZINE for January. Concerning the life of the artist himself data was, at the time, lacking; but through the instrumentality of Mr. Goodrich, the College librarian, the following facts have recently been ascertained: John Pope was born in Gardiner, Maine, March 2, 1820, the son of a farmer. Conceiving a passion for painting, he practised on his family and friends, who served as admiring models; went to Boston where he earned his living and at odd hours studied art; followed the gold seekers trail to California; returned to Boston, and eventually succeeded in going abroad for a considerable period of study. His first contacts were with Couture with whom he worked in Paris. Later he' copied from the old masters in Italy. He made his first considerable reputation by painting, on his return, a portrait of Webster now in the Charlestown Public Library. After that he achieved a fair measure of success. In 1855 he removed to New York, where he became associate of the National Academy, and one of the founders of the Artists' Fund Society. He died in 1880.
Comparison between the Pope portrait and that by Joseph Ames, likewise in possession of Dartmouth, is interesting. When the latter picture was painted or precisely when the College acquired it, does not appear. It was the gift of J. B. Upham, of the class of '49 and, in so far as can be judged, must have been painted shortly before 1850. At that, it is considerably idealized. As Webster drew towards the close of his life, his eyes lost their fire and became dull and glassy," his nostrils were pinched, his hair scant, the drooping jaw seemed to elongate his face, and reduce the majestic proportions of his fore-The camera has revealed these things: no painter could have brought himself to perpetuate so unkind a record.
If photographs are to be trusted, Ames and Pope both yielded to the like temptation to flattery. Yet the products of their respective brushes are far from similar. Ames, something of a poet, true to the traditions of English portraiture in his suave gracefulness and almost fluid technique, has given us Webster the thinker and statesman. The bolder Pope, making manifest the French academic manner, clear of form, conscientious of modelling, solid of technique, has given us Webster the lawyer and orator. We could not well spare either interpretation.
Announcement of the early publication of the second volume of Chase's History of Dartmouth College will 'be gladly received. The first volume, covering the early years of Dartmouth, ends before the memory' of living man begins. The second volume will trace the evolutionary processes that have made the College of today. It is fortunate for all concerned, that Professor John K. Lord has been willing to undertake the completion of the work left unfinished by Mr. Chase. For nearly half a century in direct touch with the College and the town, and during a large part of that time intimately connected with the administrative affairs of both, he brings rare knowledge and deep devotion to aid an already experienced authorship. That the book will be readable, well-balanced and accurate is beyond doubt.
At this time of the year it is appropriate to make editorial comment on the fact that Commencement is at hand-and to extend welcome to the returning host of alumni. After a few years of such comment, to be sure, very little that is new remains to be said ; but that fact is unimportant. Home comings and hospitality, greetings from the heart, the reunion of old friends demand no great originality to make them seem worth while; they gain rather from homely familiarity and frank genuineness. But if the salute remains unaltered, the College itself offers many changes. They are worth coming back to see. To some, of course, the metamorphoses of latter years may bring a touch of melancholy: he who seeks his old-time room in refurbished Went-worth may, not unnaturally, experience a pang of real regret to find it gone; he who toted water from the pump and maintained a coal hod in his closet may bemoan these soft, degen- erate days of baths and central heating. Their sentimental reminiscences will but do them credit: faced clearly with the issue, they, would hardly wish the new away and the old returned precisely as it was.
. The College has just survived another attack of "prom week", a spring-time malady of brief duration, but considerable violence. The first obvious symptom of its approach appears in a riot of fraternity housecleaning. For some days immediately preceding "prom week ', sidewalks are often clogged with undergraduates engaged in the unwonted exercise of cleaning andirons, polishing furniture and—at times—even beating rugs. A deep interest in the appearance of lawns and walks develops, and stretches of earth worn smooth by careless short cutting are hastily re-seeded in belated effort to restore the pristine beauty of the sward.
During these incipient stages of his trouble, the student goes about quite carelessly attired, hatless, often disheveled. He is likely to eat little; apparently caring more for money than for food. Then, in a sudden, his appearance and demeanor change. His raiment takes on the glory of the morning, a new straw hat adorns his brow; he becomes recklessly debonnair. He is discoverable—being highly conspicuous —at any time and any place, except the classroom. His aspect is usually that of the possessor of some odd millions of dollars.
This stage passes quickly and recovery shortly ensues. Like most maladies, "prom week" has its after effects. A broken heart and lame feet, are the most noticeable. These pass, however, often more quickly and more completely than the inability to consume a square meal which, indeed may not be counteracted until summer is well advanced.
The next number of THE ALUMNIMAGAZINE will appear about the middle of August and will contain the usual report of Commencement affairs, together with comment upon the year's work of the College.
