ARLO BATES. 



475 



essential element of their training, and that the basis of this should be 

 a knowledge and appreciation of the masters of their language, was no 

 easy matter in that atmosphere of practical work, but he did it. The 

 testimony of many students who sat under him, as well as the com- 

 mendation of his associates on the faculty, leave no doubt of that, and 

 it is still further shown by the fact that many who were not regularly 

 connected with the Institute enrolled themselves as special students in 

 order to have the advantage of his teaching. During the twenty- 

 three years that he occupied his position he maintained it on a level 

 with the best teaching in any of our universities, and he had the satis- 

 faction of knowing that the seed he had planted was bearing good fruit. 

 But there was another and a darker side to the picture. The period of 

 his service in the Tech was the most turbulent in its history. Con- 

 troversies arose, spread and would not down. Questions of policy, 

 administration, the possible union with Harvard, every kind of prob- 

 lem that can disrupt a governing board, were discussed, not always 

 with academic calm. Divisions of opinion were sharp and sometimes 

 bitter. Into these he threw himself whole-heartedly, strong as always 

 in his convictions, and vehement in his expression of them. Even 

 before the clouds rolled away he found himself in a minority, out of 

 sympathy with the new spirit that was growing in the institution in 

 spite of his efforts, distrustful of its changes, and unwilling as always 

 to compromise. Disheartened at the outcome ias well as by the slight 

 prospect of continued usefulness under the conditions that had thus 

 been brought about, he retired in 1915, shortly before the Tech moved 

 from Boston to Cambridge, and three years before his death. 



Thus another disappointment was added to his life, and if I seem to 

 dwell unduly upon these it is because they are essential to a knowledge 

 of his character and its development. Highly sensitive as he was, and 

 of a temperament that was naturally prone to melancholy, he was 

 less fitted than a more robust personality would have been to with- 

 stand these slings and arrows, for as such he regarded them. 



No account of Arlo Bates would be complete without at least a 

 reference to his association with the Tavern Club, where for twenty 

 years it is hardly too much to say that he was the life and soul of the 

 club, contributing to an extent equalled by few others towards the 

 distinctive character which gave it its reputation. Always ready to 

 prepare a skit, a burlesque, a miracle play, or any kind of original 



