Distinguished gatherings have thronged Sanders Theatre in the past,--at commencement exercises and inaugural ceremonies. But never before has there been such an assembly of prominent scholars and citizens as that which met yesterday afternoon to pay their tribute of devotion and affection on his ninetieth birthday to President Eliot,--the man who transformed Harvard from a little New England college to one of the greatest universities of the world.

The ceremony did not start until 3.30 o'clock, but a full hour earlier crowds packed around the doors of Memorial Hall awaiting admission to Sanders Theatre. By 3 o'clock the auditorium was nearly filled, although the platform was still deserted. The seats on the main floor were completely filled by the officers of the university, the chosen representatives of the student body, and the officers of Harvard Clubs throughout the country. In the central section of the balcony were seated the family of President Eliot, and to right and left around the gallery were ranged prominent alumni of the University. The second balcony as well as nearly filled when, at ten minutes past three, the doors were thrown open to the public and a crowd of students and alumni who had been unable to obtain reserved seats, thronged in, taking every vacant place and crowding into the aisles.

Crowd Hushed As 3.30 Approaches

As the moment approached for the arrival of President Eliot and his distinguished train, the crowd which packed the hall became hushed. There were several minutes of tense, expectant silence, then the orchestra in the narrow balcony over the platform began the soft notes of the entering march.

From either side of the hall a marshal, in cap and gown of black and scarlet, walked slowly to the central steps which led onto the platform. The door at the left opened and as President Eliot entered, accompanied by Hon. Edward T. Sanford '85, President of the Harvard Alumni Association, the entire assembly rose and stood in silent tribute. Silently they watched the President-Emeritus mount to the platform and walk slowly to his seat of honor in the center. Then came a sudden spontaneous burst of applause. The music of the orchestra became louder as the rest of the procession walked slowly into the hall before Chief Justice Taft and President Lowell, followed by Dean Briggs and President Angell of Yale, headed the long line of notables who slowly mounted the platform and took their places on President Eliot's right hand.

Faculty Delegates Enter

Then the door to the left opened to admit the representatives of the faculty. Deans, department heads, and professors-emeritus followed in long array, each man in cap and gown, wearing the scarf of colored silk which betokened his degree. To the somber black of frock coats and black gowns was added the flash of scarlet, blue, and orange as this group of distinguished scholars and educators took their seats upon President Eliot's left.

As President Eliot sat down, the whole assemblage resumed their places. The Sheriff of Middlesex County,--a white haired old man in the dark blue uniform of a civil war veteran, walked to the center of the platform and pounded three times upon the floor with his gold-hilted sword as he said "The assembly will now come to order."

After a brief introduction by Jerome D. Greene '96, Chairman and Chief Marshal of the Executive Committee, Rev. Francis G. Peabody '69 opened the ceremony by an Invocation. Then followed the series of congratulatory addresses by men who gave their greetings to President Eliot on behalf of the nation, the state, the other universities of the country, and every branch and department of Harvard University.

Hon. Edward T. Sanford '05, Supreme Court Justice of the United States, spoke first for the Harvard Alumni Association, of which he is president. At the close of his address he presented President Eliot with a morocco bound copy of the Harvard Alumni Directory, containing the 43,000 names of the alumni of Harvard University.

Choir Aids in Celebration

A cantata by the choir under the leadership of Dr. A. T. Davison '06 was followed by three brief speeches by President Lowell, George Wigglesworth '74, President of the Board of Overseers, and Dean Briggs, speaking for the Fellows, the Overseers and the Faculties of the University.

The greetings of the students of the University were then conveyed to President Eliot by Charlton MacVeagh '24, orator of the Senior class. Following him, Charles T. Greve spoke on behalf of the Associated Harvard Clubs.

Then followed a second chant by the choir, and a speech of greetings on behalf of other colleges, universities and learned societies by President Angell of Yale, at the end of which he gave President Eliot a bundle of testimonials from many institutions of learning throughout the country.

After these greetings to President Eliot as a scholar and an educator came two tributes to him as a citizen of the United States. The first was given to him in a speech by Governor Cox of Massachusetts, speaking for the Commonwealth, and the second by Chief Justice Taft, former President of the United States, on behalf of the American public.