320 ELIZABETH CARY AGASSIZ 



and dust of the day and sitting back in one's chair 

 to watch the new century go on, and see if one's 

 bundle of mistakes lets one caution, advise, cheer 

 the wage-earners, greedy to accomplish and thereby 

 to lift the cause of humanity a bit higher in their 

 turn? 'T is all that they can do, and no time while at 

 work is to be lost in self-contemplation or in striv- 

 ing for prizes and honours. And in my philosophy the 

 old and tired onlookers can greatly help. I do think 

 these above things are wise, and I feel no real doubt 

 as to your course. Miss Irwin's wish to keep you still 

 is affectionate, natural, excellent, but even she does 

 not think it best. Go in peace! You have been a 

 great boon to the College, have indeed given it 

 birth, and you can now bless it in your own fashion. 

 It has led a peaceful and beneficent existence, thanks 

 to you with your temperament, your aims, your 

 thoughts and your training. . . . 



TO MISS IRWIN 



Nahant, September 19, 1899 



DEAR AGNES: ... If there were no strings pulling 

 the other way I know that my sympathy and love 

 for you and my affection for Radcliffe, would win 

 me over to believe that I could, if I only would, stay 

 on. But in such important matters (especially when 

 one's own feeling is engaged) we must listen to the 

 judgment of those outside; and my own people, 

 together with some sense of failure in myself, com- 

 bine in urging me to give up my nominal office. I 



