RADCLIFFE COLLEGE 319 
TO MISS IRWIN 
August, 1899 
My pear Acnes: Your letter has just come and 
is extremely clear and helpful. . . . I do not think 
that I ought to entertain the idea of continuing to 
hold my present place. I have always felt that deeply 
as I was interested for Radcliffe, my family claims 
and responsibilities must come first — and I think 
I ought to yield to the wish of my children and 
also to that of my sisters in this matter. I admit 
that I could be relieved of any important demands 
upon my strength (indeed I have become so relieved 
since you came), and that even the Commencement 
nightmare might be laid to rest and something 
substituted in its place, more like the usual college 
commencement. But while others might exonerate 
me from all responsibility, I should not exonerate 
myself. I should remain in an undecided attitude 
questioning how much to do, how much to leave 
undone. Such a doubt is a fatigue. I have another 
feeling, namely, that it would be an immense satis- 
faction to me to see the institution going on as I 
know it would go on. I should have a sense of secur- 
ity about it that I should never have, if I left the 
change till I was fairly broken down, giving it up 
simply because I must. 
TO MRS. LOUIS AGASSIZ FROM MAJOR HENRY L. HIGGINSON 
Manchester, August 29, 1899 
Dear Lavy PresipEnt: Is it wise to prepare for 
illness and death? Is it wise to leave the struggle 
