222 ELIZABETH CARY AGASSIZ 



and meagre surroundings. We had nothing to offer 

 you except the education which Harvard provides 

 and which by the liberality of her professors was in 

 great degree opened to us. There were absolutely no 

 temptations outside of this, no social attractions, 

 no amusements, few facilities even for intercourse 

 with one another for the reason that we had no room, 

 no space. The common ground was simply that of 

 study, recitations, lectures. It must be confessed 

 that it was a somewhat austere beginning. But I do 

 not regret this. It was a crucial test of the sincerity 

 and genuineness of your demand for something more 

 full and far-reaching in education. 



I rather looked myself to see the Annex dwindle 

 under these circumstances it was so much less 

 attractive than many other institutions for women. 

 But it grew quietly, steadily: we heard no complaint 

 on the contrary its members were very grateful, 

 very appreciative of what was done for them. But 

 though they made no complaint, the Committee felt 

 that this state of things could not be permanent. Af- 

 ter six years of patient waiting this pleasant home, 

 the pleasanter because it is an old home, mellowed 

 by many associations and to Cambridge people con- 

 nected with the hospitalities of past years, came within 

 their reach. It was, to be sure, a little too much for 

 our purse, and we were loth to cut in upon the Endow- 

 ment Fund which we had been husbanding so care- 

 fully. But friends were generous about half the 

 purchase money was subscribed, the other half we 

 took from our treasury. It seemed a little extravagant, 



