Hampden Sydney College - Kaleidoscope Yearbook (Hampden Sydney, VA)

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annals of State education. Dr. Blair has been a valued member of the college and seniinary club, contributing his share of instruction and entertainment to that interesting gathering ot' scholars and professors. Dr. Blair's friends send him their good wishes and hopes for his safe return, and that he may continue to make his home among the classic shades of Hampden-Sidney. And now, that the Doctor is in Rome, not very far from the site of the ancient Pedum, I send to him the lines which Horace, his and my favorite Latin poet, addressed to his friend, Tibullus, then dwelling there: Quid nunc te dicam facere in zvyyione Pwlmm, Scribere quod Cassi Parmensis opuscula vineat An tacitum silvas inter reptare salubres, Curantem quidquid 'dignum sapiente bonoqur: est? Nun tu corpus eras sine pectore. Di tibi formam, Di tibi divitias dederunt artemque fruendi- Quid voveat dulci nutricula majus alumno Qui sapere et fari possit quae sentiat, et cui Gratia, fama, vuletudo contingnt abunde, Et mundus victus non deticiente cruinena? Walter Scott tells a quaint story of how a queer old Scotch judge was in the habit ot playing chess, I think it was, with a certain Waltel' Carlyle, perhaps, Who often beat him in the game 5 but said Walter, getting into a brawl, was indicted for murder, tried and convicted before this same judge, Who having pronounced judgment on his former rival in the game, jocularly added: tt And now Walte1', my man, I have check-znated you ance Qoncej. So as Dr. Blair's modesty might object to my attempting to bring him before the public it he knew of it, I will only add 4' Now Walter, my friend, I have check-mated you ance? E. H. HARDING. 25

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man eould be hal-pier in domestie relations. His wife, who was Bliss Smith, of Baltimore, and one daughter, make his home all one eould desire. One iinds there dignity and delieate reserve, softened by most winning graee ot' eulture and manner and eordial hospitality, and nowhere does the old eollege friend tind a more restful home and greater recognition ofthe fact that kindness and grave of manner add eharm to the warm hearts that welcome him there. Many lwoil-ssoi-s seem to think that the great end ot' a prot'essor's life is to write books, to edit new editions of the classics-all, no doubt, work well done and needed, but the daily intercourse ot' a cultivated, learned teacher with his elasses, moulding minds by personal influence, personal instruetion aml eontaet, and setting betbre them a high moral and Christian character, stainless integrity and worth, all this, though not so wide an influence, is a tar more strong and moulding influence-it this whieh tells on mind and character. Such a life has tar wider, more profound intluenees tin' usefulness than appear on the surtaee, and when one contemplates the monotony of every-day life, with the same recurring duties and labors, we must think that true courage and taithful devotion are required to sustain it. I feel assured that in looking baek over the thirty years or more that he has iilled the chair of Latin at Hampden-Sidney, Dr. Blair can feel that he has honestly attempted to do his duty and meet the elaims expected ot' him, and has, through his whole eareer, had the high esteem and good wishes of his fellow professors. Dr. Blair has been from early manhood a Consistent member of the Presbyterian ehureh, holding to the faith in which he was brought up in ehildhood. Dr. Blair has always had the most cordial regard ofthe Presidents of the college since he has been a member ot' the taeulty: he was highly esteemed by late Dr. Atkinson, who was the President tor many years, and no less held in high regard by the President who now presides over the eollege-the worthy sueeessor in sturdy independence, pronouneed individuality, and vigorous intellect of the vigorous and seholarly men who have made Hampden-Sidney illustrious in the 24

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J. P. METTAUER, M. A., M. D