BOOKS

There is probably no undergraduate now attending classes within the Yard who has not at some time or another seen on the title-page of one of his text-books the words: "Printed at the University of Oxford Press". The same is true--though to a lesser degree--of books printed by the Harvard University Press.

The amount of good work accomplished by the University Press idea cannot be measured in definite numbers of volumes turned out. Even so comprehensive an account as that given by Mr. Pottinger in another column of this issue can only hope to touch the surface of things; for an organization in which "men of wealth and men of learning have co-operated", be its age three centuries or eight years, is capable of almost unlimited service to education. Its scope extends from theses on philology to instructive volumes on "The Writer's Art", and its works in every field are authoritative.

The Harvard University Press, although the merest newcomer when compared with the one at Oxford, has already established a record and a name for itself. Its larger growth will be but a matter of time. And while it is growing it is also bringing to the University the added instruction which must invariably attach itself to any task of such merit. Advancing at its present high standard, there is no reason why its name should not reach to every corner of civilization, as that of its predecessor in England has already done. Printing has made wide-spread culture possible; it has also brought us the dime novel and the news-stand magazine; but its final vindication, will go unchallenged so long as there is in existence an extensive machinery for the publication of that rara avis--a good book.