Class of 1880

We, some time ago, received a letter from William Isaac Clarke Smith, who is making a trip around the world on the steamer Reliance of the Hamburg Amerika Line, writing from Capetown, Africa, and referred to in a previous issue. In fulfilment of his promise to keep us posted as to his whereabouts, we are now in receipt of two additional letters, one from Shanghai, China, and the other from Korea (Chosen), Japan.

From Shanghai he made the trip to Peking. He writes Peking is in many ways the most unique city in the world, with its huge bastion walls, its gold, blue, and green tiles, its camel caravans, fascinating shops, tireless rickshaw boys, gay delegation life, treasured halls and temples, and a mysterious and intriguing atmosphere which endows this ancient city with a charm and individuality peculiarly its own. Peking represents the past while Japan represents the present. Both are worth while, but as different in every way as the poles.

In Hong Kong he had a very delightful visit with a nephew, a captain in the British Royal Artillery, the only surviving son of a sister who married a British army officer. Two other nephews were killed in the World War, serving in the British army.

From there the next stop was at (Chosen) Korea, which he describes as very beautiful on account of its ancient buildings and immense population, and which excels in the art of amber-working, the finest amber beads and pendants being produced here.

One of his acquaintances on board had a letter advising him not to go ashore in Japan on account of the rioting there, which caused many of his friends much amusement.

The next day the steamer was to sail for Beppu, Japan, a trip from which he was anticipating much, and he hoped to find the cherry blossoms for which Japan "is noted in full bloom, a never-to-be-forgotten sight which he had experienced on previous trips to that country.

So far the trip had covered something like 31,675 miles, and he had been fortunate in enjoying excellent health all the way.

From Japan the steamer turns its prow to the east for the long voyage across the Pacific, stopping at Honolulu and Hilo before reaching San Francisco, Calif.

From there the steamer goes through the Panama Canal and is due in New York, May 26.

In past years "Will" has been a good deal °f a traveler, and this is his fifth trip through the Canal. He says that each time he goes through he experiences the same thrill as at first, the scenery on the Panama being very beautiful with its verdant mountains, trees, and hills, in strong contrast to the Suez Canal, through which he has also traveled and which he says is very monotonous with its banks of nothing but sand and little to attract the eye.

We have now heard from all the living members of our class save three, Warren French, Ed Moore, and Billy May, and our special letters to each of them have so far produced no results, but we hope to hear something of interest from them in time for the October issue.

Secretary, 20 Kilby St., Boston