RADCLIFFE COLLEGE 319 



TO MISS IRWIN 



August, 1899 

 My dear Agnes: Your letter has just come and 

 is extremely clear and helpful. ... I do not think 

 that I ought to entertain the idea of continuing to 

 hold my present place. I have always felt that deeply 

 as I was interested for Radcliffe, my family claims 

 and responsibilities must come first — and I think 

 I ought to yield to the wish of my children and 

 also to that of my sisters in this matter. I admit 

 that I could be relieved of any important demands 

 upon my strength (indeed I have become so relieved 

 since you came), and that even the Commencement 

 nightmare might be laid to rest and something 

 substituted in its place, more like the usual college 

 commencement. But while others might exonerate 

 me from all responsibility, I should not exonerate 

 myself. I should remain in an undecided attitude 

 questioning how much to do, how much to leave 

 undone. Such a doubt is a fatigue. I have another 

 feeling, namely, that it would be an immense satis- 

 faction to me to see the institution going on as I 

 know it would go on. I should have a sen«e of secur- 

 ity about it that I should never have, if I left the 

 change till I was fairly broken down, giving it up 

 simply because I must. 



TO IVmS. LOUIS AGASSIZ FROM MAJOR HENRY L. fflGGINSON 



Manchester, August 29, 1899 

 Dear Lady President: Is it wise to prepare for 

 illness and death? Is it wise to leave the struggle 



