The Song of Five Hundred Gallons

A PROPOSED MURAL PICTURIZATION OF RICHARD HOVEY'S"ELEAZAR WHEELOCKNOT ART FOR ART'S SAKE

THOUGH in my mind for a long time, it was only shortly after the completion of the Orozco murals and in discussion over them that I first presented to our editor the ideas here submitted in sketch form with metrical comment. He immediately insisted that I embody in sketches my thoughts for a decorative picturization of Hovey's "Eleazar Wheelock." As soon as he had the sketches he wanted an article to accompany them. That was quite a while ago. I have been writing an article ever since; but every attempt to write seriously on an essentially whimsical subject has gone distinctly sour.

Finally it occurred to me to treat it "in lighter vein." Hence the jingle appended hereunto. Good or bad it goes as is. I shall save all further earnest efforts for the serious business of painting a funny subject when and if the College approves it and designates in some place of recreation or refreshment a proper mural setting for it.

If my allusions below to the celebrated mural in Baker Library seem ill chosen to anyone, may I say merely that I feel it excusable to use them as a foil for my own ideas. After all, there are only a few things so sacred that we cannot at some time have our little joke about them.