A HARVARD CLASSIC

It would be difficult to find in the literature of the world many anecdotes as familiar to Harvard men of recent years, and as often quoted by them, as the account of what befell a young man thoughtfully selecting a necktie one morning. It is hard to say to just which of our emotions or ideals this story appeals. The author of "College Life" intended it for an example of what "sand" will do in the way of escaping from an unfortunate predicament. To many who repeat the story, however, it illustrates that "ideal imperturbability" which is the core of "Harvard indifference"; the fickle public has a habit of appropriating a good story for its own use. Whatever text the episode represents, the fact is bat it has an unusually universal appeal.

The fame of Dean Briggs' anecdote is now extended well beyond college circles. In a recent issue of the "Globe" the leading editorial quoted it (with the original modest fifty dollar stakes now swollen to several hundred!) as the "classic example of the most efficient way to nip threatened blackmail in the bud. The little story appears to be as susceptible of wide application as many an ancient parable. Harvard is to be congratulated for having presided at its birth!