1889

An airmail letter from George Bard, received as your secretary was about to type his Class Notes for this month's issue, brought the good news that he is planning on being in Hanover this coming Commencement to attend our 65th reunion. As he put it, "I do not dare not to." If this loyal classmate, now approaching his 89th birthday, can make the long journey from his home in Birmingham, Ala., to be present at our 65th reunion, it certainly should stimulate an irresistible determination on the part of the other five of our six living graduate members of our Class not to fail being present for any reason other than illness. Let's make it a record 100 per cent attendance at the final regular reunion the Class of '89 will undoubtedly ever hold. Commencement Day this year will be Sunday, June 13. Ample accommodations are reserved at the Hanover Inn for our entire requirements. Keep in touch with your secretary.

The folder gotten out to usher in the opening of the 40th anniversary of the Alumni Fund appeal, with an attractive picture on its cover of Old Ledyard Bridge from a painting by Paul Sample, should be read and studied thoroughly by everyone receiving it. It tells a wonderful story of achievement hard to believe, did it not give facts that are incontrovertible to support it. Every alumnus and friend of the College should respond to this appeal and give the cause thoughtful and wholehearted support.

President McKinley's appointment of General Horace Porter as ambassador to France, and John Hay for the corresponding post in England, brought to the administration high praise.

Connected with the Embassy in Paris during General Porter's ambassadorship was colonel Thomas Bentley Mott, military attache, who, in retirement with rank of general, died recently at his villa in Biarritz, France. Colonel Mott, a classmate of General Pershing at West Point and his personal representative during World War I, was the author of several books, one of which was Twenty Years as Military Attache, published in 1937 by the Oxford University Press, London. Your secretary picked up a copy of this book not long ago in a second-hand bookstore. In it he found much of interest - interest made greater by your secretary having long enjoyed a close acquaintance with a graduate of West Point and friend of Colonel Mott, who for many years has been attached as military attache to the American Embassy in various world capitals, and is now serving in that capacity at the American Embassy in Madrid, Spain. Edward Tuck '62, foremost benefactor of Dartmouth, is referred to in Colonel Mott's book as one of General Porter's most intimate friends. Colonel Mott states that whenever the Ambassador (General Porter) would go to dine or lunch at Mr. Tuck's country place, "Vermont," he often would have him accompany him.

It was a long drive from Paris and the roads were none too good after leaving the Bois; but when they arrived, he writes, there always awaited them a toddy made of old Major Curley's famous Bourbon. The label on the bottle bore these magic words: "Blue Grass Whiskey of 1883. Evaporated from 45 gallons to 15 gallons. One half Corn, one half Rye, Proof 100." Then followed this panegyric, written by Bob Ingersoll:

"The most wonderful whiskey that ever drove the skeleton from a feast or painted landscapes in the brain of man. It is the mingled souls of corn and rye. In it you will find the sunshine and the shadow that chase each other over billowy fields; the breath of June; the carol of the lark; the dew of morn; the wealth of summer and autumn's rich content, all golden with imprisoned light. Drink it, and you will hear the voice of men and maidens singing the harvest home, mingled with the laughter of children; drink it, and you will feel within your blood the starlit dawns, the dreamy, tawny dusks of many perfect days. For near thirty years this liquid joy has been within the happy staves of oak, longing to touch the lips of man."

Mr. Tuck at that time was over go years of age and still going strong. Perhaps Major Curley and Bob Ingersoll may have had some hand in, the long preservation of a man as generous and mature as was the contents of the bottle he was wont to share with friends who came to visit him.

REUNION ROOMS: Dormitory reservationcards received in late April must be returnedto the Bursar by May 29, after which datespace may not be available.

Secretary and Treasurer 108 Mt. Vernon St., Boston 8, Mass.

Class Agent, £9 Ocean View Rd., Cape Elizabeth, Me.