New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-02-22
THE HAIRY ARD REUNION.


che doubtful stepping places in the streets unfortunately
preyened the usual large attendance of graduates at
the annual Reunion Dinner of Harvard last evening;
but the exercises lacked nothing Of the spirit and the
dinner nothing of the cheer which distinguish the post
prandial eloquence Of Harvard Alumni aud the ready
resources OF Demonico. Upon the raised dais occupied
ny prominent of the evening were the Pres
OF the Club and Of the dinner, VIM g. Choae ana
at ms night aad left President Eliot, the Rev. James
Freeman Clarke, VIM. Walter Phelps, and ParRe God
win with the officers OF the Club Henry d. sedgWiek'
John Haven, and Peter b. 0ney Nce-Presidents;
Henry sherwin Secretary; James H. Fay, Francis NJ.
Weld and T. Frank Brownal, Treasurer. AT the other
tables sat among Others Dr. Norton Folsom Of Boston
James &c. Carter, Frederick Law olmsted, Henry E
Rowland. Charles d. Gambrill, Thomas Kinnecutt'
David b. Williamson, Addison NJ. Brown, Elwyn Walters
Of Columbia College, and Jos. H. ChOate
when the last dish had been brought upon the table,
and glasses had begun click for tOass the Pres
of the Club. Wm. q. Choate rose and, summonng
silence and attention by rappng on the table addressed
the Alumni. lie began by humorously allndng 10 'he
familiar and unalterable law Of Harvard dinners,
which would bt rdy enforced during his bei Term OF
Office and which was that dull speech should be
delivered by any man, however emnent-a law founded
upon the familiar Harvard maxim, that whatever is
worth saying he said IN five minutes lie
then proceeded deliberately TO break the law and reverse
the truth OF the maxim by making speech Of half an
hour and over. abOundng in humorous passages
especially paatabe the old time students present. who
were compelled laugh heartily at his cOmicai revival
Of their experiences and at his hits at Boston SELF
saeency. The later topic indeed seemed TO afford an
iDexbausuble fund OF amusing and good-na-
tured raillery, the treatment OF the subject
embracing references TO Halnemann and his
homeopathy, and finally to Mother Goose
and her melodies OF them being instanced in mock
seous language prove his assertion that Boston con-
tanned the kernel OF wisdom ITSELF In conclusion
Mr. Choatc paid fitting tribute TO the genius oil Fres
~. a.,rfaf r4fp m I'M
systems Of collegiate education and for success III the
advancement OF " Fair Harvard"
President Eliot then TO respond to the toast of
"Our Alma Mater amid loud clapping Of hands. His
remarks were follows:
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT ELIOT.
Mr. President AND GENTLEMEN: II il always an in
syutug thing Tor to look around these tables The
graduates of the University it's best opponents. They
are found distinguished ia all the walks of life as in
deed they have been for geo years. That his children
may associated with such goodly company OF living
and dead is often a principal motive in parents mind
sending his TO Harvard There is great force in
that consideration. Honor breeds honor.
The recent lossfs OF the University have given us
new proof Of its strength 1t only necessary 10
state and the stream Of contributions began TO
spontaneously, still flowing, and Will flow
unti the whole loss Is made good. The mention of the
spOntanoty the FIRE subscription reminds TO speak
of prevalent error about supposed activity on my
part in getting money for the University. I am often
COMPOUNDED by being congratulated my singular
capacity procure gifts. Some people seem to take
pleasure in thinking that devote myself principally to
that business Now the simple fact is that never
changed word or a line the subject Of their benefae
tiuis with any OF the gentlemen who within
the past four years have made great
gifts to the University, until after they
had announced their purposes. All the persuaslvenesss
which justly he attributed 10 Inc is that contained
in NV official annual reports documents which, am
oTedIby informed sncuarly bare, dry, and matter
Of fact. Generous and public spirited men and
have given and VIII give money to Harvard mainly be-
Of their pride in its past their confidence in It's
present, faith IN its future. They moved by
pleasant memories ana endearing associations by love
country Of truth and right, by the strong
craving which hearts
IN a good work which endures from generation to
generation.
Certain rumOrs and newspaper speculatOns about
dictionary changes at Harvard have been rife of late.
Perhaps you would like TO know how much truth there
may be in them Some excellent friends of education
are concerned because they fear that lectures
TO he substituted for Rotations at Cambridge. Let
them treasured. II there more lectures the
College proper there used be- there are many
more recitatIous and much laboratory work than
formerly and m the Law aud Medical Schools reca-
ous lately been introduced in large proportion.
Other friends OF critical turn say that Harvard is be-
roIniug "a " examining" and examining institution
rather than place Of teaching. l don't know
how any apprehension could be groundless
than this. II there is one conspicuous fact al
Cambridge il is the fact OF the great increase Of teach
ing within the last six years In the first place, the
number teachers than doubled. the next
place each teacher gives time instruction than
formerly aud less inquisitou. OF course we have
tired improve our stated examinations also; but
nothing De further from the truth than the
that Howard is 10 be examining and not teaching
University. Again not infreQuenty little filings al
the Harvard notion OF allowing young some liberty
Of choosing their subjects Of study and loud dsap-
probation Of a supposed intention on the part Of
the College Faculty 10 do away with enforced
attendance on college exercises Undoubtedly
there has been at Cambridge for the last 20 years
gradual relaxing of outgrOwn rules and gradual in
liberty has proved clean gain 70 the College whether
regards the manners morals, and studousness OF
teachers, or the general tone and spirit Of the
Mace. We propose 20 with those reforms
such moderate speed as the gradual improve
nent OF The preparatory schpOls VIII permit. AS
abolition Of enforced attendance az Rotations
and lectures, the only proposition which has been
really done has been proposition TO eman-
cipaie Seniors Voung men Of q TO 22I from the
rule which rescrbes for nine unexcued absences an ad
gnouon, FOR letter home, for II suspension. Some
o have had experience Of the practical working OF
this rule. Those am sure would agree with Inc that
it quite perfect. Some of Faculty find this
method OF enforcing attendance appropriate for
for who have got their growth
come axe. Others think that voluntary attendance,
with proper notification 10 parents in Of excessive
nbsence would prove quite regular the present
attendance. with all its apparatus OF excuses and
petitions
which respect and liking for teacher has his
class, would BE- much more effective force under
voluntary system than IL Is now As regards the elect
eriu that desirabeDess should be questioned for
what is In AL civilized countries the Uni
assumption that the ordinary curriculum of an American
college Uniform FOR al students Is Inc acme OF wisdom