FACTS ABOUT ELECTIVES.

PRESIDENT PORTER of Yale, in his work on American Colleges, discusses at some length the "system of elective studies as now carried out at Harvard," and compares this system and its results to the old method of prescribed studies throughout the four years' course at Yale. It is hardly necessary to say that President Porter is strongly opposed to the elective system, and gives many strong arguments in favor of the old-timed course of four years of prescribed work in Mathematics, Classics, and Philosophy.

One of the President's statements, "that in such a system students will neglect the more difficult subjects and select studies requiring less mental application, which are for this reason of less value in discipline," appeared to be contrary to our experience at Harvard, and investigation has shown this to be true.

Upon examining the Dean's Report, it was found that in the collegiate department of Harvard College during the year 1878 - 79,

30% of the students took some course in Latin.

30% of the students took some course in Philosophy.

30% of the students took some course in Natural History.

25% of the students took some course in Greek.

25% of the students took some course in History.

25% of the students took some course in French.

25% of the students took some course in German.

15% of the students took some course in Chemistry.

10% of the students took some course in Ital. and Spanish.

10% of the students took some course in Mathematics.

10% of the students took some course in Fine Arts and Music.

10% of the students took some course in English.

10% of the students took some course in Physics.

From an inspection of this table, it will be seen that Latin, Greek, and Philosophy are not neglected, and that Mathematics, though holding a low rank in the list, deserves a better relative position, for all students taking elective courses in this branch undoubtedly spend their time profitably; while at Yale many of the students taking the prescribed work shirk a distasteful course of study. The table also shows that young students do generally select their electives wisely, and that our Faculty are perfectly justified in encouraging President Eliot's Elective System.

H.