220 Notice of the late Sheldon Clark. 
scope.* The letter of the class is annexed. I cannot do better, 
therefore, than to allow him to speak for himself by a quotation 
from his answer ;—omitting his glowing acknowledgments to the 
class, he says, 
Oxford, Nov. 29th, 1832. 
« Respecrep Frrenps—Man is a child of circumstances. While 
some are born to ease and plenty, seldom meet with disappointments, 
are surrounded by benevolent friends, always ready to assist, to com- 
fort, and to afford them the most ample means of enjoying the highest 
degree of mental culture; others are born to poverty and servitude, 
unassisted, even by their nearest relatives, and denied the privilege of 
obtaining a good common school education, and are often dispirited by 
disappointments. 
“It was my destiny to belong to the latter class. Early in life I 
had a tender father, who was in possession of a large amount of prop- 
erty..._He intended, and often promised, that I should have a liberal 
education—but, alas, before I was old enough to prepare to enter Col- 
lege, he Se and the estate , proved t to be insolvent. 
“ Thus all my fond hopes of having a liberal education were frus- 
orl and I was left fatherless and penniless in a hard, unfeeling, sel- 
fish world, to ‘ate ‘by my own industry, to satisfy those positive 
wants congenial to poor human nature. It fell to my lot to live, till I 
stormy days, and’ in the long nights of winter. From these opportu- 
ns Sancti tae was soon convinced that the power, the honor, and 
eee Se 
—_—— kag 
wu “Yale College, ‘gt A 
« dhipina Sin—After j } ugh the large 
ent to the liberal and high-minded sine was deem- 
pon cements ee AE simple expression of our fecings would ad ‘ 
lustre to the deed ; but, that you, Sir, might know that your generosity w4s hom 
bestowed on indi viduals on ungrateful for the the gratification "hich new have expe 
exalted object, claim the admiration : 
t ier Sacaleadtiec Gaby admiration bu ut gratitude. sete) considering the 
the bene fit, 
cireumstances, where hal we ok one which ea this noble quality i ® : 
he acted 
Si lid 
os 
* aoe ee committee for the senior class 
RD ERR Mh rene tying sk "Gone s Van SANTVOORD; 
Joun c. Bracn. 
“is Serene 
