wcomer into the world of light, it was pleasant
to feel the spirit with which they welcomed me. The departments of
chemistry and engineering were about the only ones which, at that
time, had any distinct organization. As a student of mathematics
it could hardly be said that anything was required of me either in
the way of attendance on lectures or examinations until I came up
for the degree of Bachelor of Science. I was supposed, however,
to pursue my studies under the direction of Professor Peirce.

So slight a connection with the university does not warrant me in
assuming an authoritative position as an observer of its men or
its workings. Yet there are many features associated with it which
I have not seen in print, which have probably disappeared with the
progress of the age, and to which, therefore, allusion may be made.
One, as it presents itself to my memory, is the great variety and
picturesqueness of character which the university then presented.
I would like to know whether the changes in men which one fancies he
sees during his passage from youth to age are real, or only relative
to his point of view. If my impressions are correct, our educational
planing mill cuts down all the knots of genius, and reduces the best
of the men who go through it to much the same standard. Does not the
Harvard professor of to-day always dine in a dress coat? Is he not
free from every eccentricity? Do the students ever call him "Benny"
or "Tobie"? Is any "Old Soph" [3] now ambulant on the college green?
Is not the administration of the library a combination of liberality
and correctness? Is such a librarian as John Langdon Sibley possible?

Mr. Sibley, under a rough exterior, was one of the best-hearted and
most admirable of men, with whom I ultimately formed an intimate
friendship. But our first acquaintance was of a very unfavorable
kind. It came about in this way: not many days after being taken
into the Nautical Almanac Office I wanted a book from the university
library, and asked a not over-bright old gentleman in the office
what formalities were necessary in order to borrow it.

"Just go over and tell them you want it for the Nautical Almanac."

"But they don't know me at the library, and surely will not give
a book to any stray caller because he says he wants it for the
Nautical Almanac."

"You have only to say 'Nautical Almanac' and you will get the book."

I argued the matter as stoutly as courtesy admi