"I am glad that the sons of Dartmouth

have given all they can." Thus Lord Dartmouth closes a letter describing the gallant death, at the Dardanelles, of his second son. Another son is flag lieutenant on a British battle cruiser; another is presently to go to the front. The husband of Lady Dorothy has, for six months past, been in the trenches of Flanders.

Before the simple dignity, the splendid pathos of the father's words, sympathy and admiration alike are dumb. They throb in the heart: but utterance is choked. Yet Dartmouth was never so proud as now of the name it bears, a name enriched with the most profound significance of service,— unto the uttermost.

When the alumni of a College begin to query the trustees, it may be taken as a sign either of interest or of dissatisfaction. Which of the two it is depends very largely upon the attitude of the trustees themselves. The trustees of Dartmouth forestalled the possibility of doubt in the matter, in so far as they are concerned, when last November Mr. Streeter on behalf of the Board said frankly to the members of the Alumni Council at their annual meeting in Philadelphia: "The trustees will expect and welcome such suggestions as may be approved by your organization to be submitted at any meeting of the trustees."

Mr. Streeter's statement of invitation to the council was, in its way, as epoch making as was the old time action of the trustees in opening the opportunity of membership on their Board to men chosen directly by the alumni at large. In some ways it was more important; for the powers and prerogatives of the trustees remain supreme under the charter whatever the method of appointing the men who exercise them. To invite suggestion and criticism and to promise attention implies as complete a democratization as is wise or desirable.

That the trustees are in earnest and that the council is likewise in earnest has become immediately apparent. At its June meeting the council appointed a committee to prepare and present to the trustees a request for such information as they might consider it wise to give as to their policies in the following matters.

1. The financial and educational relationship between Dartmouth College and the State of New Hampshire.

2. The extent to which it is advisable that scholarship shall be granted in excess of income from funds specifically given for that purpose.

3. The expression of a definite educational intention on the part of the College authorities.

The committee as appointed consisted of Messrs. E. M. Hopkins '01, Luther B. Little '82 and James P. Richardson '99. They formulated their questions and presented them at the October meeting of the trustees: who in turn appointed a conference committee consisting of Messrs. Frank S. Streeter '74, John M. Gile '87 and Edward K. Hall '92.

On the night of October 14, committee of trustees and committee of council met together on invitation of Mr. Streeter at the Union Club in Boston. An informal discussion of some four hours' duration ensued.

In the matter of the State and the College, the trustees pointed out the service which the College is endeavoring to render the State, not only in the education of New Hampshire boys, but in developing and maintaining helpful relations between the preparatory schools and the College through a College officer appointed for the purpose, and by making special provision for New Hampshire teachers in the summer school. They cited the State Sunday School conference held in Hanover during the past summer and to be repeated in the summer to come, and spoke of the desirability of making the College faculty more available in providing expert assistance in various State enterprises. The council committee gained the very definite understanding that the trustees are desirous that Dartmouth College shall be of service to New Hampshire, and that the historical relationship between State and College shall be maintained.

The question of scholarship payments was set aside for technical consideration later, in view of the predominant interest which the third topic developed.

The point upon which the committee of the council had requested enlightenment was whether the College authorities are contemplating any definite scheme of development for Dartmouth that may, as to its larger outlines, be expressed in terms. The discussion necessarily carried the group into a consideration of whether the function of colleges in general is determinable, and if so, whether the specific function of Dartmouth is determinable. The conclusion seemed to be in both instances, an affirmative one. It was agreed that later meetings should be held for the purpose of outlining, if possible, either a program for the College or at least the course of investigation preliminary to a program.

While the conference resulted in no regular motions, no written resolutions, no formal statements, the chances are that it may prove to be one of the most momentous gatherings in the history of the College; for it brought into direct and glowing contact the mind of the trustees and the mind of the alumni. Never before has the Board of Trustees been thus informed as to the considerations governing alumni thought and action, never before have the alumni had such opportunity to learn, byword of mouth and accurately, what the trustees are trying to accomplish and the exact nature of the problems which their task implies.

In its August issue THE MAGAZINE said "when the future historian of the College views the year 1914-1915, if he characterizes it at all, he will probably characterize it as the year of the alumni awakening." The new year that opens bids fair to justify the words. Certainly there is a spirit of co-operation at work that may result in the pointing of definite means to definite ends and the strengthening of both.

The last Dartmouth Night was the largest in the widespread character of its celebration; locally it was the most fitting and hence the most inspiring which the College has experienced in many years. If Dartmouth night means anything at all, it means the initiation of the freshmen into the true life and the finer traditions of the College, and with that the re-dedication of the former initiates, sophomores, juniors, seniors, alumni, to their college allegiance. It should thus be a dignified and impressive occasion, each element of which is definitely planned in relation to the effect which is to be achieved. Such, this year, was the case, perhaps more by happy accident than by design. But the result having been gained, is one to be sought in future by means which have now become reasonably apparent.

North of the College in the Pine Park there has been constructed during the summer a ski jump and a revised toboggan slide that promise wonderful results when snow comes. And, in addition, the surrounding hills have been terraced and the valley leveled so that many hundred spectators can comfortably witness winter sports.

The work has, as may be judged, been made possible by gifts of the Reverend John E. Johnson '66, who has been the great agency for developing out-of-door life at Dartmouth; and by the generous co-operation of the Pine Park trustees, who gave permission for the use of the land and for the clearing of it incident to the contemplated development.

The result is perhaps the most spectacular bit of athletic apparatus in the country. It should materially increase the interest in winter sports among the students and should serve to bring to Hanover a good many outsiders spurred by the desire either to take part or to observe.

When the Class of '85, at the time of its twenty-fifth reunion, gave. to the College the sum of $3,200, THE MAGAZINE commented on the fact as constituting an example that might well be imitated by succeeding twenty-five year classes. Now at its thirtieth reunion the same class has given an added $6,800, making a total contribution of $10,000. Having established this much of a monument to itself the Class now proposes to espouse the cause of the Alumni Fund and to assist in making the income and the expense of the College more nearly balance. That shows an admirable spirit on the part of '85; a spirit which has found further exemplification in the fact that its gifts to the College have been made without any restriction, but may be utilized by the trustees according to their judgment of the need. Something over one hundred per cent of '85 gave to the fund, for there were several outside the class, who, for one reason or another insisted on helping. It is a truly remarkable record in which the honors divide between the members of the class and Professor Foster who, as secretary, kept them to the line of duty until it became for them the direction of pride and satisfaction.

When a scrawny juvenile begins to put on flesh, there is joy in the family. Each added pound brings thrills of happiness; progress is reported to all the relations, whose ecstacy, more or less modulated by circumstances, is transmitted to their friends. But it is only for a time that the excitement continues. In due course it peters out, and the next news from the scrawny one is that he is on diet for obesity.

This is merely by the way, of course, but there is some analogy to the expansion of the College. When, back in the nineties, the somnolent Dartmouth woke up, stretched its lean length and began to grow, the alumni were proud and happy. Each new "record class" was haled as an indication of waxing prosperity and strength. Announcement of it generally brought forth cheers.

That is not now the case. If there is any considerable approval of the continued increase in numbers it is so quietly expressed as to be almost inaudible. Certainly there is no lack of those who feel that Dartmouth is large enough. There are some who feel that it is too large. The problem is how to reduce or to remain stationary without developing such real or apparent weakness as to make for eventual injury.

If the solution could be clearly shown, there is small reason to doubt that it would be adopted by the trustees. The perplexities presented by a Dartmouth of more than fifteen hundred students are manifest to them. Questions of educational policy, of financial management, even of the measure of local resources would jostle one another for immediate attention. But, in the long run, they might be no easier to answer than that of the best means of moving forward while apparently standing still.

Vassar College has just celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its founding and has inaugurated a new president, Henry Noble MacCracken. The event is of peculiar interest to Dartmouth. The same pioneer spirit that inspired Wheelock to establish an institution for mollifying the stern character of the Indian found but a different manifestation in Vassar's foundation for invigorating the mentality and broadening the vision of women. Furthermore be it noted, it was a Dartmouth graduate, Milo Parker Jewett of the class of 1828, who is credited with the major influence in persuading Vassar to establish a women's college rather than a hospital. Certain it is that Jewett was the first president of Vassar College. In his honor the trustees of that institution have recently renamed one of the college buildings Jewett Hall.

The editorial makeup of THE MAGAZINE will undergo no material change during the coming year. Mr. Clark will continue to carry the main burden of responsibility for the policy of the periodical and will be assisted as in the past by men of the college faculty. The alumni notes will be in the exclusive charge of Mr. Comstock '77, whose exhaustive knowledge of alumni affairs coupled with unfailing accuracy of presentation has made his department valuable. According to usual custom student affairs will be treated by an undergraduate, R. F. Magill of the senior class. Mr. Magill has taken an active part in the life of the College, and has now a definite place among its social and journalistic interests. He is editor of The Dartmouth and by virtue of his position and his personal abilities should be well able to interpret student news for alumni readers.