A group of pictures of more than passing interest to Dartmouth men has recently been placed in the Phi Kappa Psi chapter house. This group comprises, in three frames, engravings or sketches of the Earls of Dartmouth up to, but not including, the present Earl, and of the founder of the line, Baron Dartmouth, Admiral of the Fleet, whose son was the first Earl. Autograph letters or parts of letters signed accompany each subject, while with the full length engraving of the Second Earl, after whom the College was named, appears a full three-page letter together with interesting data of his achievements. All of the subjects are appropriately marked with name, date of birth and death, etc.
In the opinion of well-known collectors this collection is undoubt- edly without duplicate in this country. The formation of this collection was the work of some years, much of the material being extremely rare and almost impossible to obtain, even in London.
Frame number one contains an engraving of George Legge, Lord Dartmouth, Admiral of the Fleet 1648-1691, together with the family coat of arms; also an engraving of William Legge, First Earl, 1672-1750, together with a very clear autograph note, dated Whitehall 1713, and written in the Earl's capacity as Lord Privy Seal.
The second frame is devoted to William Legge, 1731-1801, Second Earl and grandson of the First Earl, with an interesting three-page letter dated 1776 in which he mentions Lady Dartmouth. The following inscription appears at one side:
"Held office as Privy Councillor 1765: President of the Board of Trade & Foreign Plantations 1765; Colonial Secretary 1772-5, Lord Privy Seal 1775-82; Dartmouth College named after him."
Frame number three contains etchings of George Legge 1755-1810, Third Earl; William Legge, 1784-1853, Fourth Earl; and William Walter Legge, 1823-1891, Fifth Earl and father of the present earl. All of these are accompanied by autographs.