Letters

Poetic Tribute

To THE EDITOR:

The enclosed poem was inspired by a recent visit from Prof. Harold G. Rugg '06, whom, as you can see, I've loved and honored for a long time. Do with it what you like, but I think it is a fitting (though awkward) tribute to one of Dartmouth's great but little-sung teachers on the eve of his retirement.

HAROLD GODDARD RUGG

Rarest of harts-tongue, sequestered sun-dew; Thin violin with a few taut strings That carry further, though, than bass or brass. I'll tell you how your music rings To one of that chosen, honored class Who sat, or rather walked, with you Undemocratic, privileged few.

The mastodon is gone without a trace; He trampled many a lovely bank of fern (Aye, trampling is clear written on your face!) But these are sprung back up again to grace, Garland, the ancient tyrant's funeral urn.

And so with you, great teacher, spleenwort choice,

Whom few have had the wit to comprehend, I say your rareness is the very voice Of Him my God, Who to His own good end Now lets the brontosaurus, mammoth rage In this new cataclysmic age, But will some day again let us rejoice

In rareness, beauty, hidden ferniness. And when He sits, the full score to assess, We'll know that it was you, your species, scattered, frail,

But with toughness, power of rebirth thousandfold, Who carried earth's own loveliness through

its deadly vale, And triumphed; and you'll be there to behold.

Washington, D. C.

One Vote Aye

To THE EDITOR:

I concur heartily with the thoughts expressed by Robert J. Misch '25 in his communication to you which was printed in the April issue. [Mr. Misch proposed a Collegesponsored newsletter containing information and opinions from faculty members on their respective fields in the humanities, sciences and social sciences.]

Long Beach, Calif.

A Tuckerian Ring

To THE EDITOR:

The letter of Robert T. Keeler '36 anent the Berthold article is better than the article itself. It puts very cogently the heart of the matter, and suggests an emphasis which many of us I am sure have felt was not being sufficiently stressed at Dartmouth. His words have almost a Tuckerian ring, and I for one thank him for his letter and you for printing it.

Stamford, Conn.