Massachusetts College of Art and Design - Palette and Pen Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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CxEOKGE H. BARTLETT, Principal. Emeritus Arts of Lithography and Modern Processes of Re- productive Engraving “The generous and liberal man, doth daily seek out occasions to put his virtue into practice.” — Cicero.

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CLASS ODE Four years ago we started In doubt upon our way ; And hand in hand together, We labored day by day. The path seemed long and weary, The goal beyond our sight ; Still pressing bravely onward, At last we’ve reached the height. The joyous hours of gladness Time swiftly sweeps away. How brief they seem, how precious, As we look back today. Our days with Alma Mater Are filled with mem’ries dear. The lessons she has taught us. Shall guide us year by year. The untried future greets us, A wide and vast unknown. And out upon its pathways Each one must strive alone. Though clouds may quickly gather. And shining skies grow dim. Our Father still will shield us. If we but trust in Him. Thus, as we face life’s battles. May we this hour recall, A helpful inspiration To raise us when we fall. So may we prosper daily. That when this life shall cease, May we, through love unchanging. Enjoy eternal peace. Mabel Harris (1917)

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GEORGE H. BARTLETT. George H. Bartlett came to America in 1870 with no idea of remain- ing here, and in 1871 visited Boston, where he chanced to read in a news- paper an advertisement for a principal of the evening drawing schools of the city, and also for an assistant. More by way of a joke than with any expectation of success, he sent in his application for the position, though he was an absolute stranger to all concerned. Much to his astonish- ment, in a few days he was elected as principal of the evening drawing schools, a position he held for thirty-six consecutive years until he resigned in 1908. Soon after his election the South Boston School of Art was opened and he was appointed principal of that school in 1872, winning in the competition for the place. And then in 1873, when John Philbrick was chairman of the newly-organized Board of Visitors of the Normal Art School, Mr. Bartlett was asked to accept the position of first instructor in the school, no competition being invited. As instructor he taught for ten years, and then became principal of the school, where we rejoice that he still is its wise and strong leader in the development of pure and applied art. Mr. Bartlett owes his rare success as teacher to the thorough academic training he received in England, and in drawing, and painting both in his own country and in France, giving especial attention to drawing on wood and stone, whereby he has been enabled to train large numbers of young men in the applied arts. Mr. Bartlett has always said that whatever measure of success he may have attained was largely due to the influence of his mother upon his life. She was a woman of remarkable energy, discretion, justice, and mercy. Her house itself was called “The House of Mercy,” and at her funeral fully 5,000 people came as mourners, for “Mrs. Bartlett, of Lon- don”; so widely was she known for her deeds of goodness, that she bore among all those who knew her or knew of her this simple, expressive designation. Her Bible Class averaged from 1,000 to 1,200 in attendance, and many of its members became ministers. Her family bore close kin- ship to Agnes Strickland, author of the series of histories called “Queens of England,” books that still are considered of large historical value. Samuel Rogers, the poet-banker, was also another near i elative, for whom one of the younger generation of Bartletts was named. Mr. Bartlett’s father had a large printing establishment, and as among his cousins he numbered famous illustrators and inventors, it is easy to see how the principal of our Normal Art School obtained his love for the printing arts. (Reprint from an article in the “Centre of Vision,” Feb., 1909, by Mrs. Kate Gannett Wells, member of the Board of Lducation during Mr. Bartlett’s principalship.)