Abstract

When discussing my remarks for this occasion, the executive secretary of the Academy asked me to mix some measure of personal reminiscence with whatever scholarly effort I might have in mind. It is always pleasant to be asked to do something that you would like to do anyway, but whenever the first person appears in the following narrative, I want you to remember that I am doing what he requested. History is a fascinating subject. We pursue it because we cannot do otherwise. We are impelled by curiosity, which sometimes leads us into strange byways