328 ELIZABETH GARY AGASSIZ 



that it is their home during the years of their college 

 life; that a home implies responsibility; that their 

 highest ambition with reference to it should be to 

 maintain a standard of good breeding, of kindly 

 intercourse and consideration for each other, which 

 give after all under any social conditions the key- 

 note to gentle manners. 



In a community brought together under one roof 

 by a common interest and kindred occupations, 

 and not by kith and kinship, the bond is of course 

 not as close nor can the relations be as spontaneous 

 as between the members of one family. But a re- 

 spect for such reserves as may leave each student in 

 quiet possession of her room at her own will and 

 pleasure, for her own studies or occupations, need 

 not hinder the formation of intimacies or the growth 

 of friendships which may last a lifetime. In the en- 

 couragement of such genial and pleasant companion- 

 ships, with due consideration for each others' in- 

 dividual tastes and preferences, it seems to me that 

 a very happy and a mutually helpful life must grow 

 up here. 



The very conditions under which our new Hall 

 and home exists are suggestive of the best influences. 

 It is, as I have told you, the gift of a dear friend 

 of Radcliffe College; known as Bertram Hall, it is 

 consecrated by a beloved name; it is pledged to 

 worthy occcupations and interests; and it may well 

 stimulate those who live under its shelter to sincere, 

 cheerful, and sustained effort. Accepted in this 

 spirit it can hardly fail to be a happy home where 



