Class of 1886
The retirement on June 30 of Dr. Edwin B. Frost as director of Yerkes Observatory marked the completion of twenty-seven years' continuous service in a position of great responsibility. As a major event in the astronomical world his relinquishment of the directorship was made the subject of news items and editorial comment, in which the public was reminded of his discovery of the asteroid Frostia and of his great service to science as a teacher and authority in astrophysics. The rare fortitude and constancy with which he has "carried on" under difficulties which would have discouraged a less valiant soul and his extraordinary capacity for accomplishment notwithstanding his handicap are portrayed in a tribute by the Chicago Daily News which we cannot resist quoting. "Darkness came upon him while his eyeswere turned toward the stars, but the innerlight of a brilliant intellect did not failEdwin B. Frost, whose explorations of thestellar universe have brought him renownin the world of science. . . . Though Dr.Frost has been sightless for more than adecade, his familiarity with the heavenshas enabled him to follow with amazingunderstanding the observation of others,and in the curtained precincts of his mindto study and develop their significance. Bythe illumination of his thought othershave gained clearer vision of truth."
Two days before his retirement he moved into the new home which he had built adjoining the observatory grounds. There, he expects to enjoy a leisure which the exacting duties of his position have heretofore denied him. He has promised us the story of his life. What a story that will be is thus foreshadowed by the editor of the News. "Free from the cares whichattended his directorship of one of theworld's greatest observatories, he can devote himself without interruption or distraction to writing down the results of reflection upon the facts which he has storedin orderly relation within his retentive anddiscerning mind. . . . That narrative shouldbe an epic Odyssey among the wondersof space—the mature achievement of acareer in which a gentle courage hasmastered unusual difficulties in the searchfor truth." Those of us who have listened on occasions to word pictures of his travels in cosmic realms look forward with pleasurable anticipation to this feature of his autobiography. We will, however, be no less interested in his terrestrial experiences, which enable him to name the trees by the texture of their barks and foliage, to recognize plants and flowers by their perfumes, and to reproduce the notes of our song birds; and withal in his personal philosophy, in which he declares his belief in a Supreme Being as the guiding hand in all nature and the universe.
During the last week of August, Dr. and Mrs. Frost motored East to visit their son, Frederick, at Westbrook, Me., and to be on hand to observe the eclipse from an advantageous viewpoint. A few days before this event the Secretary had the pleasure of presenting Doctor Frost as a speaker at a Kiwanis function at Rochester, N. H., on which occasion he gave an illuminating talk on that phenomenon. It is gratifying to note that Ed has apparently had a good recovery from his illness last winter.
Henry W. Thurston retired a year ago from regular service at the New York School of Social Work. During the coming months of October, November, and December he will teach an evening course on community care of dependent, neglected, and delinquent children at Dana College, Newark, N. J.
The Secretary and Mrs. Snow recently dined with Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Newton at Kennebunk Beach, where the Newtons have been spending the summer.
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Secretary, Rochester, N. H.
