Amherst College - Olio Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

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abroad made an interesting scientific cruise in company with the ex- plorer, Nansen. just now he is correcting the iinal proofs of his great work on the geology of the river counties in Massachusetts QI-lampden, Hampshire and Franklini, which will soon be published from the gov- ernment printing office. Mr. Pierce, the Kellogg fellow, returned from his studies in Europe, has given one scholarly course of lectures, and is now engaged partly in preparing the lectures that are to come later in the year, partly in important laboratory work in psychology. The chair of Biblical History and Interpretation, vacated ayear ago by the resignation of Dr. Tuttle, has been filled by calling to that position the eminent Biblical scholar and critic, Dr. Henry Preserved Smith, who will begin his duties in january. The college pulpit will be supplied by preachers from without, as for the past year, but work of the more distinctively pastoral kind has been in part provided for by the appointment of Mr. Hubert Clark, of the Class of 1892, who, in addition to his work as Assistant in the Biological Laboratory, is Sec- retary of the Young Men's Christian Association, a post for which his experience with work of that kind eminently fits him. The usually tranquil air of the Commencement season this year was rudely agitated by the proffered resignation of Professor Morse, and a storm of petitions and remonstrances besieged the Trustees as they came to their annual meeting. By the time of the Commencement exercises, however, the announcement that the differences of view were adjusted, and that Professor Morse had consented to remain, restored the wonted atmosphere of hearty fellowship and good-will, an indica- tion, at least, of how vital are the interests of old Amherst and its teachers to the hearts of the alumni. As we go to press, the death of Professor William Seymour Tyler, at the age of 87, severs the strongest and most characteristic remain- ing link with the Amherst of the old days. Graduating in 1830, teach- ing for many years since his appointment as tutor in 1832, historian of the College, gaining for it, as for himself, an honored name in Greek scholarship, the revered Nestor of the scholarly, executive and religious interests of Amherst, his departure, while it takes with it a large and benign presence, leaves with us, in the memory of the gracious things of the past, a sweet influence and strength for the present, and courage to hold on our way for the time to come. 22

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C The College as Q ELL started on the home quarter of her century, venerable gf! in the honor of her sons, yet with the vigor of hope and ' enlarging plans still leading her on, the College stands as f of old, her most vital histories just the things that can least be recorded, and least need record, because they are like a current of life, like a beating heart, witnessing for high aims and steady work. The culture and character for which she exists may be taken for granted g the incidents and episodes that figure in reports are of the surface, of the things that come and go. The honored old alumnus who, not so many years ago, was aston- ished on his approach to Amherst to come through Old Hadley by train instead of stage-coach, will find in the rumble of the trolley-car, running at present only between different parts of the town, but with prospect of electric connection with Northampton not long hence, that the college town still responds as well as could be expected of a town of its size, to the touch of progress. Nor will he find the College ex- ternals lacking. The nobly located Pratt Cottage, now complete and in running order, puts the College in excellent position to give home care and nursing to her sick. The spacious field extending from the town common to the laboratory, known to the older alumni as the Boltwood estate , which is now under process of grading, will soon furnish a magnificent park-like approach, lawns, drives and walks, to the College from its most imposing side. Perhaps we may connect this enterprise, as thus made feasible, with the Fayerweather bequest, the money of which is being paid in after a long and arduous defence of the original will, in which, among all the colleges interested, Amherst was the first and most courageous mover. Professor Sterrett is in his place again after his year's absence in Athens. His work at the American School there was carried on stead- ily and profitably, but the excavations at Corinth, the prosecution of which had been his much-desired object in going abroad, were inter- rupted by the Cretan war. During the summer Professor Emerson attended and took active part in the international conference of geolo- gists, invited and entertained by the Czar at St. Petersburg, and while ' 2I

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