THE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION.

For some years past the various institutions of learning about Boston have been in the custom of giving outside courses of instruction for the benefit of the general public. These courses have now become so numerous and important as to conflict in some degree, and it has been found expedient to co-ordinate them under a common head. By grouping the courses together with one supervising body, their efficiency will be tremendously increased and they will form a connected program of study. It will furthermore enable those enrolled under the new system to count all their courses towards a new degree, which will be practically equivalent to the A.B., to be conferred by the institution under which the majority of the courses were taken. At the same time, this will obviate the possibility of cheapening the Harvard A.B. by giving it without the required year of residence. The association of these institutions in the common interest of the education of the public will place the actual benefits of the best instruction within the reach of many for whom a college education is not available.