Class of 1879

Old '79 cannot let the statement in the February ALUMNI MAGAZINE go unchallenged, that the first pair of skis used in Hanover were brought there in 1892 by a student in the Medical School. We must claim that distinction for Charles S. Cook '79, who was a tutor in the Chandler Scientific Department, 1879-83, and an instructor in physics and astronomy in the academic department, 1883-87. It may be mentioned in passing, that during this period he did some spectroscopic research work which came to the attention of an English astronomer and led to the mention of his name twice in an article in the Encyclopedia Britannica.

In the ALUMNI MAGAZINE for January, '924, there is an article by Mr. Cook entitled "Dartmouth Out of Doors in the Eighties," in which he writes entertainingly of some of his adventures. Under the guidance of Prof. Jesup he discovered the beauty of the mountains about Hanover. He bought a pair of snowshoes and began the winter conquest of the hills. Then he began to think about skis, of the use of which in Norway he had read. Under his direction a village mechanic made him a Pair about ten feet long, and for the first t]me in history Balch Hill saw a man gliding over the snow on skis. A little later he and a companion undertook to climb Mt. Washington on them, and had a somewhat hectic experience in sub-zero weather.

News has just come of the death of Russell A. Wentworth at his home in Batavia, N. Y., on February 9. A fuller notice for the Necrology must wait until next month.

Secretary, 72 South St., Proctor, Vt.