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 Acnus:... 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 
