This is only a wish and not a condition; and moreover it is a happiness to me to serve the college which has done so much for us all.

I am, with much respect, Very truly yours, (Signed) HENRY L. HIGGINSON.

President Eliot went on to say that Henry L. Higginson '55 entered the army when the war broke out. He was wounded in '63 and had to leave. He became a successful business man, has made the best use of his money, and is now doing what his six friends would have liked to do in helping the development of manly sports.

Major Higginson was received with tremendous applause, and said in brief:

The college playground has been inadequate for a long time. The land now presented is beyond the bridge, to the right, and adjoins the Longfellow bequest. It is pleasant to do a kindness for the dear old college; she needs help and devotion from us all, for she has given us and our land more than any one of us will give back. This is to be more than a play-ground; it is a memorial of friends who gave their lives for their country.

James Lowell was the first scholar in his class, thoughtful, kind, affectionate, full of solicitude about his companions and his duties. He was killed at Glendale.

Robert Gould Shaw was simple, manly, steadfast, affectionate and humane to the last degree; his ambition was to do his plain duty.

Stephen Perkins, a vigorous oarsman, a wit and philosopher of high intellectual tastes, although disabled, left the ambulance, and was killed fighting in a bloody and useless battle.

Charles Lowell, a first scholar, brilliant, strong, full of ideas, was killed fighting desperately in the Shenandoah campaign.

James Savage was an enthusiast, modest, wonderfully attractive and of nobel purity and goodness.

The last of these patriots is Edward Dalton, a physician of intelligence, energy, devotion and sweetness, who worked out his life-blood to save that of others.

In memory of these men it is proposed to call the playground the "Soldiers' Field." Mr. James Russell Lowell proposes the following verse of Emerson's for the stone:

"Though love repine and reason chafe,

There comes a voice without reply:

"Tis man's perdition to be safe