Professor Chaplin, who is about to leave the Scientific School, was the object of a pleasant surprise party yesterday afternoon in the library of Lawrence Hall.

At half-past two about fifty men gathered in the room, and a handsome valise of alligator skin with a full equipment of dressing case articles was put upon the table. In a few minutes Professor Chaplin entered the room expecting to find two men only with whom he had made appointments.

The gift was presented to him as a slight token of the great place which he held in the minds of the members of the Scientific School.

Although taken by surprise he accepted the gift in a graceful speech in which he extended a cordial invitation to all present to call on him whenever they might be in St. Louis. After shaking hands informally all round the company dispersed.