Gradus Ad Parnassum
"Age is a quality of mind.If you've left your dreams behindIf hope is cold,If you no longer look aheadIf your ambitions are dead,Then you are old!
"But—if from life you take the bestIf in life you keep the zestIf love you hold,No matter how the years go by,No matter how the birthdays flyYou are not old!"
THE VERSE quoted above was Mr. Tuck's favorite reply in any discussion of advancing age. His devoted secretary, H. W. L. Burke, typed out the quotation on small sheets of paper which were often mailed or given to friends. Mr. Tuck always claimed that the beginning of old age is from 75 to 90. Up to that time a man simply progresses from infancy to adolescence through youth into the several stages of maturity. Then at about 75-90 old age can be recognized.
During recent months it was felt by his close friends that old age had truly, and for the first time, taken possession of the rugged body and the eager spirit of this grand old man. The inevitable end came suddenly—with swiftness that was merciful for one who had been so active throughout his life. Alumni and officers of the College and other friends on this side of the ocean had received letters from him shortly before his death. But the letters mentioned infirmities and that complaint familiar to men younger than 95, lack of "pep."
FOR SOME years Mr. Tuck had been the ranking graduate of the College, in point of number of years out of College. For a long time the numerals of his class-'62—have placed him among the venerable alumni. But no one has ever had the slightest reason to feel that Mr. Tuck's years were matched by a corresponding senility. He lived his creed—"No matter how theyears go by, no matter how the birthdaysfly, you are not old!"
THE PERSONAL relationship that exists between alumni and the College, a sentiment that has always characterized the affection of Dartmouth men for their college, is a precious thing. A man works and strives and dreams and fears and hopes for the success of his own life. He dreams of creating within the intimate circle of his home those tangible things, and the intangible qualities of the spirit, that will win and keep for him the love and affection of those who depend and rely upon him.
There is a sentiment for their college among Dartmouth men very close to these most personal and intimate relationships. A tragedy on the campus, or a tragedy in the home of a classmate, are not read about or discussed in terms of the day's news. They are happenings that strike close to the heart. And when the news from the College is good, or when a great throng of men hear their beloved "Hoppy" address them, when they are in the midst of Hanover friends and associations—then "God's in his Heaven, all's right with the world."
As THE FAME of Edward Tuck mounted on two continents, arid his name became so familiar and respected and loved in France, the pride of Dartmouth men was great. He was honored with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. A new planet in the firmament was named for him. He was the only American except Benjamin Franklin and Woodrow Wilson honored with election as an honorary citizen of the City of Paris. He has for years been an authority on international finance and a foremost champion of bimetallism. His friends for fifty years in Paris have been the great ambassadors, statesmen, and generals of the day.
But does this explain the tradition of Edward Tuck among Dartmouth men? No. "I would rather have it said 'He lived usefully' than 'He died rich' "—is engraved on the granite monument in the Tuck plot in the cemetery of St. Germain. During prohibition he erected a sign over a spring on the Vert Mont estate which read: "AMERICAN BAR." He and Mrs. Tuck, until death separated them in 1928 his comrade and devoted co-worker in great causes, built and endowed hospitals and supported hundreds of French orphans. The year after he left Dartmouth he sent a gift of $1 to Hanover. His gifts since then have been munificent and princely and extremely timely. They have meant more to the College than will perhaps ever be realized. To his roommate of Dartmouth days, William Jewett Tucker, he offered the resources of his fortune. Those were the days when Dr. Tucker was making the College an educational institution of the first rank and Mr. Tuck's support—so generous and so thoughtful—was, as it has continued to be to President Hopkins, of the greatest significance.
The name of Tuck is immortal in the history and halls of Dartmouth. He won the world's esteem for the honors given him in France. He won our hearts by his sympathy for humanity and his love for Dartmouth.
THE PRIZE-WINNING pace of this MAGAZINE in the annual competition conducted by the American Alumni Council is gratifying to the editors. Over a period of years the Dartmouth MAGAZINE has collected an assortment of prizes for achievements ranging from "the best class notes column" to "the best balanced alumni publication in the country" which was the basis of the award for 1938.
Our alumni readers are not in a good position to judge the merits of other alumni magazines. Probably not many of them see the publications of other institutions. The sweeping and broad statement made by our friends that Dartmouth has "the best alumni magazine in the country" is, we admit, very pleasant to hear but is not, we fear, completely based on factual evidence. There are a lot of good alumni magazines. In fact we learn from our sister publications things that are invaluable in editing this MAGAZINE and in making it a constantly stronger and more effective means of communication between the College and the alumni and between class officers and their class groups.
SOMETHING OF A record was set in Rochester, Minnesota, on Dartmouth Night when a meeting was called of all those associated with the Mayo Clinic who are alumni of the College. Eighteen men were present at the Dartmouth Night celebration of whom 17 were doctors. Question: did that one lone non-medical man enjoy his dinner?
THE EDITOR.
STAUNCH SUPPORTERS A lot of College business is transacted onMain Street, as in this conference betweenDean Robert C. Strong '24 and Prof. Adelbert Ames, founder of the Dartmouth EyeClinic
