340 ELIZABETH CARY AGASSIZ 
of success. Suddenly by no effort of my own, on 
one fair and beautiful day of my life, the means for 
this purpose were put into my hand. The impossible 
became the possible. The road opened before me clear 
of all obstructions. Indeed, it seemed that the ground 
might be broken tomorrow for the building which 
should represent to our students the refinement 
and the charm of a home. By virtue of this gift we 
hope that the more gracious and sympathetic side 
of life without which no education is perfect, may 
accompany our academic instruction. 
I should vainly attempt to express here my own 
gratitude or the thanks of our students for this 
rare gift tendered to them through me. The future 
history of Radcliffe must speak for us all. May 
their loyal work, their well-bred manners and the 
dignity of their life in this new Hall, show that this 
act of generosity has been understood and deeply 
appreciated by the students of Radcliffe as well 
as by its officers and its Honorary President. 
EvizaBetu Cary Aacassiz 
With the gift of the Elizabeth Cary Agassiz House (a 
name which Mrs. Agassiz confided to her diary was “quite 
a mouthful’’) the college found itself in possession of three 
of the four buildings that had been pronounced essential 
to its welfare— the Gymnasium, a Hall of Residence, and 
a Students’ House. It may be added here that the fourth, 
a Library, was later provided chiefly through Miss Irwin’s 
influence with Mr. Andrew Carnegie, who offered to give 
$75,000 for a building provided an equal sum should be 
given as an endowment — an amount that was contrib- 
