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The CRIMSON is much indebted to M. Doumic for his kindness in offering to write the reports of his lectures. Although possessing a fair knowledge of French, the American reporter who has to translate a lecture, in summarizing it is extremely likely to fail in giving due prominence to important points and to miss almost entirely the personality of the lecturer which the good report should impart. Fitting accounts of a connected course of lectures like the present on French Romanticism are likely to prove useful, especially if written by one who is in a position to do them justice.

M. Doumic 's presence at Harvard is an event of importance in the literary history of the University. Although a comparatively young man, he has met with such unexampled success in his chosen profession that he now occupies a position among the foremost French critics. Born in 1860, he was educated at the Lycee Condorcet, graduating with prizes in rhetoric. Continuing his studies he graduated from the Superior Normal School in 1882 with the first prize in the examination for the literary fellowship. Soon after, in 1883, he was appointed professor of rhetoric at Stanislaus College, a position which he has retained since that time. From 1888 to 1894 he was dramatic critic of the Moniteur Universal, and since then has been literary critic of the Revue des Deux Mondes, while being a frequent contributor to the Francais, the Correspondent, the Gaulois, the Revue Bleu, and the Journal des Debats. Beside his activity in the critical work of his professional labors, M. Doumic 's industry has resulted in a number of published works under his name, comprising eight or ten volumes dealing with a great variety of topics.

Thus it is obvious that M. Doumic is not a mere genius, but a man who has won his way, who has sturdy qualities reinforcing exceptional ability.