JANUARY 4, 1901.] 
tude with which I must always regard their consid- 
erate treatment of me during my term of service. 
Naturally it is with great regret that I look for- 
ward to the early breaking off of a relation which 
has been to me so satisfactory. During the past year 
the condition of my health has been such as to cause 
much anxiety and this has been increasingly so dur- 
ing the past few months. The conclusion has been 
forced upon me that I must indulge myself in a long 
vacation or period of rest as free as may be from care 
and responsibility, too long to be for a moment con- 
sidered compatible with a continuance of my con- 
nection with the institute. While thus compelled 
to seyer this connection, there is no small consolation 
in the fact that I leave the institution at a period 
which may fairly be called the most prosperous in 
its history. Its numerical strength has not before 
been equalled; its next graduating class will be 
larger than any that has preceded it; its material 
equipment in the way of apparatus, machinery and 
other appliances for instruction has been greatly in- 
creased during the last few years and is now as 
nearly adequate as that of the best institutions of its 
class ; during the same time new departments have 
been developed and specialization has increased ; its 
internal affairs are directed by a relatively large, 
able and harmonious corps of instructors, and it is 
everywhere admitted to be in the front rank of the 
engineering schools of the country. Whatever prog- 
ress towards this end has taken place during my 
administration, I wish to attribute to the generous 
support of the board of trustees, the cordial and en- 
thusiastic cooperation of the faculty, the earnest 
and conscientious devotion to work which is and, I 
think, always has been characteristic of the student 
body, and, finally, the growing interest of the alumni, 
now nearly a thousand in number, scattered over ~ 
the civilized world. The latter has been specially 
manifest on the organization of a number of new and 
active Alumni Associations, one of which is now to 
be found in almost every city of the first import- 
ance. 
Under the continued fostering care of those who 
have so generously and unselfishly supported it in the 
past and with any one whom the board of trustees may 
select at its head, I shall confidently expect it to 
maintain its rank among the leading exponents of 
technical education. 
I need hardly say that it will ever be a pleasure to 
me to further its interests in any way in my power. 
I am yours faithfully, 
T. C. MENDENHALL. 
On December 20th in reply, the following 
communication was sent to Dr. Mendenhall by 
SCLENCE. 
35 
the committee on the part of the board of 
trustees :— 
President T. C. Mendenhall, Ph.D., LL.D., Wor- 
cester Polytechnic Institute :— 
Dear Dr. Mendenhall : 
Your letter of October 15, 1900, resigning your 
office as president of the Worcester Polytechnic In- 
stitute, has been received by the trustees with ex- 
pressions of profound surprise and regret. They 
deeply deplore the cause which alone necessitates 
this action on your part. They have been very slow 
and unwilling to admit the fact. In conference with 
you and at repeated meetings of the board, they have 
earnestly sought to find some way by which such a 
serious loss as your permanent separation from the 
institute might be averted. They are, however, 
compelled to recognize that your reasons leave them 
no option, either as respects your interests or those of 
the institute, and they therefore reluctantly accept 
your resignation as president of the institute to take 
effect, as you request, July 1, 1901. 
In thus regretfully acceding to your request, the 
trustees wish to thank you for your thoughtful con- 
sideration of the welfare of the institute in giving 
them timely notice of your decision, and for the most 
courteous terms in which you have made it known to 
them. They also desire to communicate to you and 
to place on record their high and grateful appreciation 
of your laborious, devoted and successful service for 
the institute. During your administration, which in 
July will cover seven years, the institute has steadily 
grown in its productive endowment; in the size 
and value of its plant; in the excellence of all its 
facilities ; and in the number of its faculty, instruc- 
tors and students. New buildings have been erected 
and equipped. Large additions have been made to 
machinery and apparatus. The courses of study have 
been extended, revised and brought to the highest 
standards. The success, high rank and deserved fame 
of the institute have been greatly and solidly in- 
creased. All this has, in large measure, been due 
to your wisdom, faithfulness, tact and unwearying 
courtesy as president. 
Nor would the trustees fail most cordially and 
thankfully to recognize the distinction which your 
ability as a scientific man, your skill and charm asa 
lecturer, and your ready, valuable and public spirited 
service of the city and the commonwealth, have given 
to the institute. In all these and similar directions 
your departure from among us will leave a vacancy 
not easy to fill. This adds to the pain with which, 
not only the institute, but also the city and the state, 
will lament your forced retirement on account of im- 
paired health. 
