1878

The MAGAZINE opens a new year with high hopes and ambitious plans for its column of

class notes. The classes will surely support these plans as far as in them lies. But our Class, born as a Class in 1874, and now starting its 74th year as a class, will indulge no hope of expanding its services. The five old men who represent the Class have become accustomed to accepting, and accepting cheerfully, whatever of limitation or inconvenience age imposes Bouton finds locomotion painful, but with the aid of a cane, keeps up a daily walk for exercise. His eyes have failed beyond accuracy at star-gazing, and his telescope and observatory have been adapted to more popular use, and he has devoted as much of his own waning strength as he can muster to developing the more popular uses and expanding its use on that side.

Hayt would enjoy gardening as in the earlier days, but arthritis and the doctors are imposing limits, while failing eyes fix limits on his reading. He neglected to report to Class notes that he made a speech at the San Francisco Alumni meeting, but another speaker reported that Hayt '78 made the best speech of the occasion Parkhurst has closed his Boston office, but continues to do business at Oak Knoll Home, Winchester. Has some difficulty with locomotion, but is otherwise quite comfortable, and is promised relief in that particular, as he was in the severe weather of spring, as soon as moderate temperatures prevail. Meantime, recognized as the First Citizen of Winchester, he observes his 91st birthday among his friends Parkinson shares with Bouton some of the experience of mixed fact and fancy in his memory of alternate scheming and dreaming to which so much of his time goes "Occupy the time," the Deacons used to say at prayer meeting. That is one of the problems of age. Placed in a comfortable rest home among his friends, that problem would not seem difficult. Able to wiggle about on his two pegs comfortably and needing to do so for exercise, it would not seem difficult, but there are limitations. The freedom which he cherishes may bring more anxiety than joy to friends and strangers, and he must be on his guard not to make a nuisance of himself.. .. With the Editor's permission, Class notes for '78 will continue for the present, but the Secretary's records, and all the other official insignia that has remained in Parkinson's possession throughout his shattering moves, will be turned over to Miss Ford, Alumni Recorder, as soon as help can be secured for the task, to be disposed of by her as may best befit the waning life of a Great Class.

.... Tarbell has recovered from his recent illness so well that he enters upon his 95 th year in better condition, physical and mental, than any of the rest of us, although he confesses to some impairment of hearing and vision. He spent a part of the summer in happy reunion with his family at their old home in Watertown, S. D.( but is now back in his comfortable winter quarters with his daughter in West Allis, Wisconsin.

Secretary, 103 Otis St., Newtonville, Mass.