1905

Our news this month is overshadowed by the death of one and the discovery of the very serious injury to another of the most outstanding members of our class.

Royal Parkinson died suddenly in his chair at home April 9. He had made a gallant struggle to recover from the devastating effects of a heart ailment and was looking forward, with some dismay, to a life of leisure, for energetic activity in many useful ways had been a fundamental part of his way of life. Details of his career will be found in his obituary notice.

A memorial service for Royal was held in the Central Congregational Church in New-tonville April 12. The pastor, the Rev. Benjamin R. Andrews Jr., in an eloquent eulogy, spoke of Royal as a "great reconciler of human differences." In attendance from our class were Loder, Brooks, Hatch, and RogerBrown.

Word has only very recently reached us that Edgar Gilbert was involved in an automobile accident on Dec. 9, 1958. To quote from the letter of his son, Frederick T. Gilbert, "He has had a rather hectic time ever since. He skidded on the snow returning from Newark, hit another car, lost control and hit a telephone pole at fast speed, knocking the pole in half. He was taken to the hospital suffering severely from shock, a sprained neck and seven broken ribs. The doctors gave him little chance at recovery, but recover he did." The shock of this experience has left him in not too bad shape physically; mentally he is clear only at times. Cards addressed to his son at 27 Sylvan Drive, Morris Plains, N. J., will reach Edgar, who is under constant care in a nursing home in Chester, N. J.

In a more cheerful vein, Bill Blatner is making another valuable and unusual gift to Dartmouth. Always keenly interested in various forms of art and ever mindful of the interests of our college, he has acquired and is presenting sixteen paintings made by John Stothard for the 1790 edition of Bunyan's "Pilgrims Progress." Stothard, born in London in 1755, was a friend of Flaxman and made for himself an outstanding career in art. This new acquisition we expect will be on exhibition in Hanover in July.

Speaking of Hanover, this is the last call to join our group at the Hanover Inn on July 8, 9, 10. I will not say it is later than you think. While we are avoiding the confusion and possible glamour of Commencement, we are trying to make this our 55th something of a special affair.

I am happy to report that Percy Ladd, recovering from his illness, is returning to his home in Burlington, Vt. John and Molly Bell are back in Washington, N. H., Box 92.

Secretary, 358 North Fullerton Ave. Upper Montclair, N. J.

Class Agent, 11 Lakewood Rd., Natick, Mass.