1878*
Seven of our surviving twelve met for our 6oth. All arrived on Friday: Field from New York state, Harlow from Ohio, Hayt from California, Smith (his first return to Hanover) from West Virginia, Tarbell from South Dakota, Parkhurst and Parkinson from Massachusetts. Parkhurst brought the same girl he did to graduation, and he and she were our host and hostess at the Inn. Field was accompanied by Mrs. Field and by his son Wm. T. and wife, Tarbell by a daughter, Mrs. Davis, and her daughter.
We wore badges donated to '78 by Rotch '08 in the name of his class, three of whose members are sons of '78. We followed no set program, each going his own way much of the time, but assembled
* 100% subscribers to the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, on class group plan.
at mealtime at a table reserved for us, and so could agree upon appointments when we pleased. All attended the President's very delightful reception and met there old friends from many quarters. So ended Friday. Saturday some of us attended the Harvard game, all partook of the Alumni Luncheon, and all sat together at the meeting of the Alumni Association. We swelled with pride when Parkhurst was called to his feet to receive hearty acclaim for his wise and skillful direction of the financial affairs of the College for the past 30 years. Parkinson also was cited, chiefly for an unusual tribal display at this Commencement, but allusion was also made to his service on the Secretaries' Association and the Alumni Council, of which latter he is now the oldest living past member.
Sunday we all attended Baccalaureate in the Bema and heard a noble discourse, followed by the President's equally impressive address to the class. The scene itself was inspiring. The solid block of 500 men in cap and gown, surrounded by a colorful body of their friends extending far to the rear and fringed upon either side by groups clinging to the banks, made a picture long to be remembered. To us old grads it was a pleasure to hear again the hymn used at "Sing-Out" in the old days, "Come, let us anew our journey pursue." After Baccalaureate we were photographed on the steps of Parkhurst Building. We were sorry we could not include more '78 sons and grandsons. Fletcher Andrews, Richard Parkhurst, Richard Paul, Paul Urion (Ike's grandson, just graduating), four Parkinson sons and one grandson, and Park Stickney, were all flitting about the Campus, but we held no leading strings.
Sunday evening we seven held our special conclave in one of the smallest of the many rooms provided for such gatherings in the new Thayer Dining Hall and were served with an abundant feast, after which our first act was to express by rising vote our thanks to Parkhurst for his generous hospitality on the occasion of our 6oth anniversary, and his many faivors on other occasions and in many ways. Then each man spoke as he felt moved, all cheerfully, each happily of his domestic life and interestingly of his life activities. President Hopkins looked in upon us and gave us his blessing.
The Secretary reported the latest word from the absentees, all of whom regretted that they could not be with us, two of them more or less incapacitated, but all eager for word of the class doings.
We stood for a silent moment in memory of those of our number who have moved on ahead of us, sixteen of them in the past five years. And we recounted the notable achievements of classmates who have brought high honor to the class and the College.
Monday morning we began to disperse. Only Parkhurst (in livery), Hayt and Parkinson (both in plain clothes) saw the Commencement exercises through to the finish; but Smith lingered in Hanover another fortnight to make up for his long absence.
A more complete story of what mine host refers to as "that delightful week" has been sent to members and affiliates of this ancient class.
Secretary, 321 Highland Ave., Fitchburg, Mass.
