Chapter and verse quotation-citation correspondence site

Correspondence on not-so-famous lost words

Andrew Hamilton writes: “For research into the origins of a poem by Robert Frost, I am searching for any reference to Veritas, the Roman goddess of truth, that would support statements that she was thought to dwell at the bottom of a well. It occurs to me that there might have been a Harvard joke to the effect that she lived in the well under the College Pump, and that, if so, the joke may have found its way to Harvard Magazine. Of course, any other reference to Veritas living at the bottom of a well would be useful. Can you help me?” The magazine’s editors, having no information to offer themselves, hope our readers can do better.

More queries from the archives:

“Sir, every wise man would at the latter end of his life wish to have an interval between the fatigue of business and eternity.”

We are all the victims of each other’s façades.

Send inquiries and answers to “Chapter and Verse,” Harvard Magazine, 7 Ware Street, Cambridge 02138, or via e-mail to chapterandverse@harvardmag.com.

Related topics

You might also like

The Year a Beat Poet Squatted at Harvard

In 1954, Gregory Corso moved into Eliot House. How he stayed there is a literary legend.

How Adam Ehrlich Sachs Writes Absurd and Beautiful Fiction

The Gretel and the Great War author on how the Lampoon derailed his science career—and set him on a literary path.

Tara Menon’s Debut Novel Combines Friendship, Grief, and Climate Disaster

The popular Harvard English professor published Under Water this spring.

Most popular

Harvard Stabilizes Finances With Strong Endowment Returns, Philanthropy

Small operating surplus is dwarfed by reduced federal research support and endowment tax liabilities.

Treat AI Like a New Species, Harvard Scientist Says

Joshua Joseph discusses how society can manage and coexist alongside self-governing AI agents.

How Philosophy at Harvard Saved Itself

As humanities shrink across higher education, one department is flourishing. Is its success a fluke, or a roadmap?

Explore More From Current Issue

A woman jogs on a path beside a boy riding a bicycle, surrounded by trees.

Why Harvard Medical School is training physicians to think more like coaches

A man with a long beard and formal attire stands next to a chalkboard with an equation.

Two tales of University greats—and an encounter with a Tiger

Black and white portrait of a woman with medium-length hair, smiling softly.

The outgoing executive director and Harvard Business School graduate went from dancing The Nutcracker to growing a ballet company.