Perhaps 20 or 25 years ago, at a dinner of the Wildfowl Trust in London, at which I felt greatly honored to meet the trust's founder, Peter Scott, the story of the "itinerant preacher" was told in a delightful and briefer British version by the speaker of the evening, Britain's Minister for the Environment.

In a closely parallel version, a farmer introduced his remarks with the words, "All I know about is cows, but. . ." He closed his comments on the over-lengthy service by saying, "I wouldn't give it the lot!"

If not for a thesis, there is probably room here, given the fact that Justice Douglas attributed the story to his father, for considerable research, analysis of cross-oceanic exchanges and modifications of folk-tales, etc., surely warranting a stint of exploration in England. Preferably, I would think, in April or May.

Thanks to the Naitos
From Barbara Needham '63
Just a note to add a word of thanks to those of us who were given jobs by the Naitos at Norcrest China Company to support our student husbands!

On the death of Les Squier
From Jerry Case '59
It was sad to read in the alumni magazine of the recent death of Les Squier. I was one of Dr. Squier's less memorable students in the late '50s and learned a tremendous amount from him. He was unfailingly good humored and loved to have students around him. (His sherry cocktail parties with steak tartare were legendary!)

One of my tests in, I think, a child and adolescent psychology class, was returned with only the comment "This test shows a complete lack of understanding of the basic issues involved!" When I spoke with Les at the class's twenty-fifth reunion, I mentioned the test and his comment, and he was horrified that he had ever said anything like it. I assured him that the comment was, at the time, justified and that, far from being offended, I valued the comment. The empathy evidenced by his reaction, though, was the same as it had always been during the time I knew him as his student. Anyway, Les's death leaves the academic community, and especially Reed College, poorer.

My best to Anne, whether or not she recalls who I was.

Newhall's resignation
From Yoram Bauman '95
Dr. Newhall's abrupt resignation from the college continues to trouble me deeply. In glossing over the controversy surrounding his departure in an article about "improvements" at the Health Center ("Changes in health and counseling at Reed," November '96), the Reed quarterly has done a disservice to Dr. Newhall (whose years of devoted service to the student body seem to have earned him neither respect from the administration nor forthright treatment from the quarterly) and to alumni, who deserve more accurate information about events that, for better or worse, have transpired at Reed. Those interested in further details can find relevant Quest articles at www.oz.net/~nic/newhall.html.