1913

Our ranks grow thinner and thinner "Joe" Barnett left us in December of last year after a long illness; Daniel Chase of our Class possibly ex '13 died at his home in Dennis, Mass., after a brief illness Frederick A. Libbey died December 12 1971 at his home on Marlborough St Boston, Mass. He was taken out of an active career early in his life due to chronic illness and endured years of suffering. He was bedridden for forty years' The Class deeply mourns for those departed classmates and our sympathy goes to their families in their bereavement.

"Bill" Towler has completed the class news letter now that our one and only "Joe" Barnett has left us and the Class should receive this edition in early Jan. No one is more thoroughly conversant with the activities of Dartmouth and the Class and here's hoping that Bill will take on the job It's a genuine pleasure to hear about the accomplishments of our classmates.

This is about our own Dr. GeorgeWatts. In an article about him entitled, "Retirement? Not really!" it tells us about this remarkable man of 81. When George retired from teaching French at Davidson at the age of 70 no one really expected him to sit still. But few anticipated that at 81 he would still be commuting to Cape Cod, traveling all over the world and writing professional articles at a steady rate. George's home is in Orleans on Cape Cod. He has at one time or another housed more than 200 Davidson faculty, students and townpeople as guests. He shuttles back and forth between there and his Davidson home as if it were in the next county, and spends most of his summer months at the Cape. This fall he completed his 20th trip abroad, visiting several Scandinavian countries and last spring he was in Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands and Portugal.

His slide shows of his travels, including many flowers of the world are a favorite at Davidson gatherings. His flowers travel almost as much as he does. "I work in my garden in Davidson, he explains, "planting tulips and daffodils. I plant as the Dutch do—in a mass of one color. And the marigolds! When I leave for the Cape, usually in May, I often pull the marigolds up and replant them in Orleans. I specialize in marigolds and petunias on the Cape."

In Massachusetts George spends much time at the Harvard libraries conducting research for his writing. Since retiring he has written "The Teaching of French in America, a history for the Modern Language Association of America. Recently he has been studying 18th Century literary figures, and has had an article published by "Tennessee Studies in Literature" on Boudier de Villemert, author and publisher whose "I' Ami des Femmes" came out in several American editions.

In the fall of 1963, " while a research scholar at the Newberry Library in Chicago, he wrote a study on the life of P.D. Pierres, printer and publisher, who worked for Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. He has also written two books on the Waldens in America. He was also coauthor of "The Handicrafts of France". M has been honored three times by the French government, notably in 1950, when he became "Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur." How's that for a young man of 81!

A note from "Bob" Conant saying that they had arrived in Florida and will stay until mid-April. They will be enjoying the sunshine, golf, and plenty of time for reading and renewal of old friendships.

Secretary, 56 Hillcrest Rd. Reading, Mass. 01867

Treasurer, 601-A Robin Rd., Ellinoor Village Ormond Beach, Fla. 32074