Proposed Alterations in the Requirements for Admission.

The agitation of the Greek question, first begun in 1883, by Charles Francis Adams, Jr., in his now famous Phi Beta Kappa oration, seems to be approaching its culmination. A new set of admission requirements was considered by the faculty at their meeting of Tuesday last, which, if adopted,-and that event now seems likely-will entirely do away with Greek as a requisite for matriculation. Inspection of the list of subjects proposed for admission, which will be found below, will give a more perfect idea of the exact nature of the contemplated change than can be gained by any extended explanation. It only remains to point out a few of the more prominent features in the new system.

In the first place, the most striking innovation to be noted is the fact that it would be possible for a man to obtain the degree of Bachelor of Arts without having the slightest acquaintance with either Latin or Greek. This could be done by choosing either of the combinations (c) or (d) given below. The former entrance requirements would be, in substance, retained in combination (b), but with some important modifications, which may be briefly summoned up by saying that the amount of Latin to be read would be diminished, while the Greek and Latin composition which has been a lion in the path to so many generations of freshmen, might be altogether avoided. The French, German, and English work would also be somewhat increased in difficulty. In fact, one of the objects sought in the proposed change is the improvement of the work in English, both preparatory to, and after entering college This improvement in English is a favorite scheme of President Eliot's, who once remarked :

"For 10 years past Harvard university has been trying, first, to stimulate the preparatory schools to give attention to English, and secondly, to develop and improve its own instruction in that department; but its success thus far has been very moderate."

The next point in the new requirements which will attract the attention is the radical change proposed in the scientific department. At present the incoming classes come to Cambridge with a superficial knowledge of the natural sciences which enables them, it is true, to pass their entrance examinations, but which falls far short of any desirable standard. This state of affairs is attributable to the fact that the preparatory schools fail to make adequate provisions for a thorough study of these branches. It is now proposed to compel the candidates for admission to obtain a suitable "fit," by demanding a laboratory examination in addition to the usual written examination. The men would, moreover, be required to hand in note-books containing full data of the experiments performed during the school course, signed by the head master of their respective schools. This step would be taken to oblige the preparatory schools to secure proper apparatus and laboratory accommodations. The following are the list of proposed subjects, divided into Elementary and Advanced, from which a certain number may be chosen for admission, according to any of the four combinations given.

I-ELEMENTARY.1. English-(The amount of reading to be somewhat increased).

3. Greek-The translation at sight of simple Attic prose.

3. Latin-The translation at sight of simple prose.

4. German-The translation at sight of simple prose.

5. French-The translation at sight of ordinary prose.

6. History-Ancient history and geography (as at present); or history of England and the United States.

7. Mathematics-Algebra, through quadratic equations : plane geometry.

8. Physical science-Either (1) astronomy and physics; or (2) a course of experiments in the subjects of mechanics, sound, light, heat and electricity, not less than 40 in number, actually performed at school by the pupils.

II-ADVANCED STUDIES.1. Greek-The translation at sight of average passages from Homer: or the translation at sight of less difficult passages from both Homer and Herodotus.

2. Latin-The translation at sight of average passages from Cicero and Virgil.

3. Greek and Latin composition-To be based on prescribed passages of Greek and Latin authors.

4. German-Lessing, Schiller, Goethe and c. Translation at sight of modern German prose. Grammar and composition.

5. French-George Sand, LaFontaine, Moliere, and c. Translation at sight of modern French prose. Grammar and composition.

6. Mathematics-Logarithms, plane trigonometry, with its applications to surveying and navigation.

7. Mathematics-Either the elements of analytic geometry or solid geometry; elementary mechanics.

8. Physical science-Physics, a course of at least 60 experiments, in addition to those of the elementary physics eight (two), selected from the same or similar laboratory manuals, and covering the same subjects, but demanding more skill and more knowledge of physical theories and laws.

9. Physical science-Chemistry, a course of at least 60 experiments in "general chemistry" actually performed at school by the pupils.

Any candidate for admission would be at liberty to make elections from the lists by following the grouping of subjects given in the following list of combinations.

(a) On all the elementary studies, and on at least two of the advanced studies.

(b) On all the elementary studies, with the exception of either German or French, and on at least three of the advanced studies.

(c) On all the elementary studies, with the exception of either Greek or Latin, and on at least four advanced studies, including and one of the three numbered 7, 8, and 9.

(d) On all the elementary studies, with the exception of either Greek and Latin and of either German or French, and on at least five advanced studies, including 6 and one of the three numbered 7, 8, and 9.