the college campus a third of a
century ago. He says that, if he "remembers right, Mr. Field was not
one of the gentlemen who cared much for his clothes," but he "guessed
he was made careless like, and in some ways he was a fine young man."

[Illustration: WILLIAMS COLLEGE BUILDINGS, WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS.]

The most valuable glimpse of Field at Williams is contained in the
following letter written by Solomon B. Griffin, the managing editor of
the Springfield Republican for many years, with whom I have had some
correspondence in respect to the matter referred to therein. He not
only knew Field at Williamstown, but was one of his life-long friends
and warmest admirers. After a few introductory words, under date of
Springfield, February 4th, 1901, Mr. Griffin wrote:

Yes, I was of the class of 1872, but Field flitted before I became
connected with it. But Williamstown was my birthplace and home and
I struck up an acquaintance with him at Smith's college bookstore
and the post-office. Field was raw and not a bit deferential to
established customs, and so the secret-society men were not attracted
to him. The "trotting" or preliminary attentions to freshmen
constitute a great and revered feature of college life. When I saw
Field "trotting" a lank and gawky freshman for the "Mills Theological
Society," the humor of it appealed to one soaked in the traditions of
a college town, and we "became acquainted." Field left the class
about as I came in.

It is not remarkable that Tom McMahon has no clear recollection of
Field, who was in college only about six months and was not a
fraternity man. There are so many coming and going! Nor that the
faculty should be mindful of the lawless, irresponsible boy, and
not of the genius that developed on its own lines and was never
conventionalized but always remained a sinner however brilliant, and
a flayer of good men unblessed with a saving sense of humor. If there
is any kind thought for me in my old home it is because I did what
Field couldn't do, paid outward respect to the environment. It was
possible for me to see his point of view and theirs--to them
irreconcilable, and to him also.

Sincerely yours,

S.B. GRIFFIN.

Mr. Tufts's memorandum-book shows that Eugene returned to Monson April
27th, 1889, so his experience, if not his education, at Williams
covered almost eight months of an impressionable period of his life. It
is interestin