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ample endowments and good standing in the collegiate community, but it took some nerve for students to pass by the older, richer and more popular colleges and cast their lot with Tufts; especially those (and some such are still to be found) who looked at size of members and reputation, rather than quality of each.

The social condition, too, of the college was very different from what it is today. The students being few in number, were all personally acquainted each with the others; while, on the other hand, owing to the system of college government which at that time prevailed, the relations between the students and the faculty were far from intimate. A gulf appeared to separate them. Some attempts at more cordial relations were made by members of the faculty, but as long as I remained in the college the officers and the students formed practically two opposing camps, with relations scarcely more cordial than that of armed neutrality.

Nearly all the students boarded in commons in the basement of East Hall, paying $3.50 a week for fairly poor board, and the priceless privilege of continual grumbling at the steward. There were two secret societies to which two thirds of the whole body of students belonged, a moribund debating society, an attempt at a glee club, a baseball nine, with a second nine which was composed of everybody else who could handle a baseball at all, and practically no other organizations whatever. Nearly all of the students went off at Thanksgiving to teach school, so that the work of the college for twelve weeks beginning in December was practically at a standstill. The rooms of the students were bare and meager, simple in their furnishings and without any pretense at ornamentation or luxury. At graduation all of the students were assigned parts, and usually every member of the senior class delivered some sort of an oration or essay on commencement day.

It was a very small college. It had plenty of money, its students were well and thoroughly educated, and its diplomas were well accredited, but it was discouragingly small.

In this situation it was the obvious and first duty of President Capen to make the college grow. A comparison of the statistics furnished by the catalogue of 1874-5, and that of 1899-1900 furnishes some, but by no means an adequate, idea of the growth he has seen.

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The work of the president may also be scheduled in another way. Under his administration there have come into existence the medical school, the dental school, the Bromfield-Pierson school, the gymnasium, the museum, the athletic association and grounds as they exist today, the elective system, including elimination of the ancient languages as a prerequisite to degrees in the college of letters, a board of overseers, co-education and participation by the students in the discipline of the college. Since Dr. Capen has been president the engineering department, although it was in existence when he began, has been greatly extended and enlarged, and is now the equal of any engineering school in the country. The doors of the college have been opened to women, and they have availed themselves of the privilege in great numbers. Following out the policy of his election as a graduate to administer the affairs of the college which educated him, the trustees have for the most part filled vacancies by the election of graduates, until today a very large working majority of the active members of the board of trustees, are graduates of the college. This policy has still further been extended by the creation of the board of overseers.

It is difficult for a graduate of twenty-five years ago to realize the radical and almost revolutionary changes which have been made in the curriculum of studies. The old programme of Latin, Greek and mathematics has been entirely abolished, and one can now obtain a degree by work in modern languages and in the sciences, without scarcely a term's work in what was once the essential condition of the degree of bachelor of arts. The standard of admission has been so far advanced that in all seriousness I doubt whether a graduate of my day could pass an examination for admission as it is conducted today.

In the matter of physical surroundings, the graduate of the early seventies would scarcely know the hill as it now is. It has become one of the most attractive places in New England. There are buildings ample for the accommodation of even the great number of students who now pursue so many different courses of study.

The most notable feature, however, of President Capen's administration remains to be stated. Every person who is interested in educational matters is aware of the immense advance which has been made in the scope of college education in the last quarter of a century. It is scarcely too much to say that the true function of the university in the education of youth of the country is just beginning to be clearly understood. The traditions of centuries have been ruthlessly overturned, and the college has been brought in touch with modern thought and modern life. It is extremely gratifying to be able to say that under the administration of President Capen, Tufts College has kept up with every advance. It is today in the very front rank of modern colleges. It has never lagged; and in more than one important evolution is has even led the way.

It would, of course, be unjust to say that all these changes and improvements were due alone to President Capen. But I have been a member of the governing board for the larger portion of his administration, and I know that it is not injustice to say that

every one of them has been brought about largely upon his suggestion, through his influence, and in consequence of his persistent and earnest efforts. A more active interest is taken in the affairs of the college by its graduates, and the college has become better known to the community; but it is nevertheless true that very much of this increased reputation, better acquaintance, and deeper interest is due to the efforts of the president. He has put his life into the college, and as the responsible head of the institution is entitled to the credit of whatever advance it has made.

During all these years he has been sustained by the loyal support of the great body of its alumni, and of the denomination under whose auspices the college was established. He has also been at times the object of criticism, particularly among some of the older graduates. It is easy for one who has no responsibility to look on from the outside and criticise the administration of a corporation or of a Commonwealth. Such critics are wellknown in politics. Without ever having any of the real work to do, they stand aloof and achieve some reputation even by criticizing those who are in the thick of the fray. It is not difficult to fight battles in a magazine article. Anybody can sail a ship who does not have to stand upon the bridge in the gale, knowing that the safety of his crew and cargo are dependent upon his courage and ability, and fight the winds and the waves.

Those who do the work, and to whom is committed the responsibility, may fairly demand that they be judged by the results. President Capen has brought Tufts College from small beginnings to become a great university. His friends know and ap

preciate the value of his work; to his critics he may well say, "si monumentum requiris circumspice."

HOSEA MORRILL KNOWLTON, '67.

TRIBUTE.

Many and long the years, and brave the tale
Their silence tells; nor yet the life all spent,
Thank God, the life laborious, content
In modest might to serve, nor known to fail

Young lives in their young need; bold to assail
The wrong, to champion right, and singly bent
On purposes of peace; a patience blent
With resolute striving till the truth prevail.

Oh gracious counselor, this be thine hour
Of honor! With yon lifting tower that rears
Its rugged cross on high 'gainst guardian skies.
To thee this day the loves of many rise.

In storm and sun like that same stalwart tower
God grant thee still to stand in strength long years.

C. R.

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