MORE LIGHT

That there even exists a Harvard Memorial Society will be news to many graduates and undergraduates--yet apparently, the Society is an ancient and honorable one; and indeed, in choosing this year's undergraduate members, the Society has exercised that good judgment which one would naturally expect from an old and well-sponsored organization. But at the same time, since the purpose of the Society is "to foster among students and graduates interest in the historical associations of Harvard and to perpetuate the traditions of her past", a little more publicity might well be desirable.

One does not expect, of course, to find Professor Palmer shouting "Reinhardt" about the Yard in the evenings; that is because this particular tradition is not especially worth while perpetuating. Nor is Mr. Conant the bell-ringer likely to awake some winter morning to find the clapper of his bell frozen to the sides by President Lowell, for obviously, this also is one of those jovial performances which, genuinely humorous the first time, rapidly becomes mere routine, without any better excuse for itself than an empty and eventually boresome precedent. There is, never theless, a rich and colorful store of Harvard history which the Society could most suitably disseminate among the surprisingly unenlightened undergraduates.

It is undoubtedly possible to discover for one's self a great deal of this treasure, in histories of the University, in odd writings of many observers, in accounts by graduates themselves. But this requires time and ingenious delving into curious volumes; and while the few who have taken the pains to search have been richly rewarded, few have sought, and still fewer have learned. An erudite and devoted Society, however, such as the Harvard Memorial Society, could easily stimulate interest, not merely in a selected group, but in the College at large by retailing some of the more choice stories of the past; and by making public the whereabouts of the most profitable sources of Harvard history. As a matter of fact, the stimulating of interest is scarcely necessary. There is plenty of interest--but little satisfaction. And it would be the gratifying of this largely unsatisfied curiosity that such work on the part of the Society would accomplish.