"CULTURE."

The perennial discussion regarding the nature of culture and the methods of attaining it is again revived. An article in the Atlantic favors the prescription of cultural subjects for college students; and a communication to the CRIMSON indorses this view. President Lowell, in a discussion of culture in the North American Review, presents the ideas which have been embodied in the elective system in the University.

Whenever the college man is attacked on intellectual grounds his policy should undoubtedly be to admit everything. In comparison with the professors and the cultivated magazine writers who pen the indictments he can only feel his youth and lack of wisdom. Any proposal, therefore, for the elimination of "snaps", for the increasing of work required within reasonable limits merits his approval. But proposals for a return to greater prescription encounter difficulties. What studies are "cultural"? All critics admit that the word culture is vague. Shall Greek or European history be prescribed? The philosopher doubtless believes that philosophy is at least as cultural as Greek or history; and a proposal to prescribe History 1 or Philosophy B would have great claims. Indeed a writer in The Outlook last year lamented his "bad education," on the score that he had given too little time to modern languages and thought. And he was possessed of the Ph.D. degree. At the present stage it would be impossible to decide on what courses to prescribe at least not without overriding a large minority.

The present elective system avoids this snag. A man is forced to take cultural courses, but he may choose their precise nature. An elevation of standards and the elimination of snaps,--not less freedom,--are desirable.