M. TARDIEU'S IMPRESSIONS

Monsieur Andre Tardieu, late Hyde Lecturer at the University and honorary member of the Cercle Francais, has published in the Paris "Temps" an article on his impressions of Harvard, which gives an interesting account of the University as seen by a foreigner.

The wide diversity of courses offered and the advantages of the elective system are M. Tardieu's first consideration; what impressed him most, however, is the spirit of solidarity in the body of students, and the American spirit that inspires every achievement. The personal liberty and individuality enjoyed at Harvard make the men more aware of the need of national co-operation, and as unity springs better from diversity than identity, thus the American nation is built on a solid basis.

Social life at the University is within reach of all: The clubs for men of larger means, the common-rooms of the College dormitories and the Union for those of smaller means. For the former class, their club-mates. For the former class, their club-mates and their surroundings in the private dormitories are refining influences, and although a poor man may work his way through College, he is thought none the less a man. The craze for being the social equals of wealthy men, in contrast to Europe, does not exist among the poorer men in the American University.

Athletics hold a prominent place, and although their intense worship is an abuse, it is much better than the dissipation of continental university students, and provides a great disciplinary force for American men. Although less scholarly than their European contemporaries, American students are better fitted for life, and in every one of them is a desire to make America great, which makes American universities not only establishments of advanced learning, but centres for the inculcation of the national spirit.