1897

I think, as we come together as a class in our round-up, that each of us has the feeling that there are few directions in which we can help the College in its service to youth of the future. One simple way is to keep on with our class payments to the Alumni Fund, and also to do something in connection with the new bequest program.

I think quite a good many fellows may feel that a small bequest is not worth much, but the program is sound for the long pull, and every classmate should give it consideration. These methods of helping the College to help the youth of the future are the financial ways.

We older men want to help the boys now while they are under the influences of the impulses that come from the prevailing feeling often expressed:—"When I finish College, I'm going to war—four years of my life ahead are not of my own choosing."

Our class has seen three wars and a fourth half-war now going on, and I think, if there is any message that can come from us to these boys, it would be along the line of having faith that conditions will be better, and that all that we can save from the principles and ideas of value of our time will be saved from the past to grow useful again in what we all hope will be a better world when the war clouds have rolled away.

If we can point out something from our time which satisfies now, as it did when we were in College, I think we would come back with the feeling that the culture of the professor and the good manners of the students were two elements that were important in the standing of the College, and will satisfy the demands for usefulness from those who have advantage of a college education. I think without these two elements in the College ways the result will be unsatisfactory.

The adjacent picture of our class, as we entered the College, would indicate the prevailing spirit of the advance form of the freshman "beanie," but also carry with it quite a large number of supporters of the bowler and the Homburg. There seemed to be some doubt as to whether the derby should be worn on the back of the head or well down over the ears-both styles were followed. This picture was taken before the general introduction of the turtleneck sweaters which during our College days seemed to be the foundation wearing apparel.

With all of our crudeness in clothes, I think we can boast that our class had good manners.

THE CLASS OF 1897, HOLDING ITS 55TH REUNION THIS MONTH, AS IT LOOKED WHEN IT FIRST ARRIVED IN HANOVER

Secretary and Treasurer 886 Main St., Bridgeport 3, Conn.

Class Agent, 862 Park Sq. Bldg., Boston 16, Mass.