1878*

We are now but nine. Whittelsey, last of our non-grads and one of the most loyal, left us Dec. 8. It seems he was the oldest of us survivors, born a year earlier than appears in the big Class-book that Dean Emerson had filled out from the College records for us. We are glad to learn from his son that he passed away quietly in sleep, without struggle or pain.

This son, Stuart Gordon Whittelsey, lives appropriately at 321 Dartmouth Road, San Mateo. He is representative for the East and Middle West of The United Date Growers of California, and was in Connecticut when his father died. When he comes this way again he will be a welcome caller at the door of any of us. So be ready for him. He may tell you something you didn't know about date-growing in California.

A Christmas card from "The Stone Family" is the first word from Tommie for a long time. It assures us that he is still intact; but a strange postmark raises a new question. Does the fact that it was mailed in another state indicate that the family has evacuated Maryland, or only that the youngest member, more mobile than his father, mailed the card in transit. Please tell us, Son!

A Christmas card, too, from Telle Smith encourages hope that we shall yet receive the balance of that interrupted letter of last year.

Returns from our anxious inquiry about the workings of the double-barrelled Thanksgiving seem to indicate that while the ambiguity is often and usually embarrassing, there are circumstances under which it proves a positive convenience.

Harlow must wear a brace to enable him to stand erect, and cannot walk much, but nevertheless is able to shovel snow, which is a form of athletics from which most of us have learned to abstain.

Bouton likes to have his observatory serve the public. He welcomes the Astronomy students of the St. Petersburg High School whose teacher brings them to it in groups. He was especially gratified that at the time of the transit of Mercury, the teacher, Miss Helen Story, observing independently with his smaller telescope while he used the larger (7 inch), arrived at results agreeing closely with his own, which he believes to be very accurate. He hopes that when the mathematical astronomers have done their work, Miss Story's work and his will prove to be of real scientific value. They had ideal observing conditions; each worked with an assistant, and followed directions sent out from the Naval observatory at Washington.

Secretary, 321 Highland Ave., Fitchburg, Mass