THE HARVARD "ANNEX."

Through the courtesy of Mr. Arthur Gilman (secretary) we have received a copy of the proof-sheets of the forthcoming third annual reports of the treasurer and secretary of the "Society for the Collegiate Instruction of Women," at Cambridge, popularly known as the Harvard "Annex." We summarize the chief points mentioned in these reports. The most important advance made by this institution during the past year has been the securing of a charter of incorporation from the State by its friends. In accordance with the avowed object of the society aiming at the introduction of coeducation into Harvard University the charter has been made to state the objects of the organization to be to promote "the education of women with the assistance of the instructors in Harvard University," and for this purpose it empowers the society to "employ teachers, furnish instruction, give aid to deserving students, procure and hold books, suitable apparatus, and lands and buildings for the accommodation of officers, teachers and students," to "perform all acts appropriate to the main purpose of the association," and to transfer "the whole or any part of its funds or property to the president or fellows of Harvard College" whenever the same can be so done as to advance the purpose for which the society is chartered, in a manner satisfactory to the association.

The society is now in a position to receive endowments and bequests, and these it hopes to receive in the near future. "It may be said with some confidence that a fund of one-tenth the size of that represented by the property and endowments of Harvard University, contributed to the society now, will give women greater privileges than are within their reach in America, and will make them permanent."

The society does not aim to create but to satisfy a demand for the higher education of women. During the year there were the following classes and students:

Department. No. Classes. No. Students.

Greek 4 23

Latin 4 16

English 4 25

German 4 14

French 2 4

Italian 1 1

Fine Arts 1 1

History 2 11

Mathematics 4 12

Physics 1 3

Botany 1 5

Besides these classes the students generally attend the open lectures and readings in the university.

Instruction was offered by thirty-nine instructors of Harvard College, and the actual classes received the services of five professors, seven assistant professors and eleven instructors. These repeated to the women the instruction given to the students of the college in the different departments.

Of the students, eight were in their third year; eighteen were in their second year; and twelve were in the first. Ten were pursuing a course of study covering four years, and corresponding to that pursued by the candidates for the candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Harvard College. The others were taking from one to four special courses of study each.

Thirty-one of the students are from Massachusetts, one from Athens, Greece, and the rest from various States.

The price of tuition for the first few years of the enterprise has been placed rather high (ranging from $75 to $200) in order that the number of students might be kept down, so that the classes might not become unwieldly. "It is not easy to see how the prices can be reduced until there is a sufficient endowment to place the instruction of women in Cambridge on the same basis with men. It is, of course, desirable that women should not be obliged to pay more for the same instruction than men pay, though it may still remain the case that they pay in Cambridge more than is required elsewhere."

The behavior of the students in all cases has been exemplary and has called for no action from the council in any case.

The usual entrance examinations have been held in the summer and autumn, and in addition, the different classes have been required to take examinations at the same times that the corresponding classes in the college were having them, and the papers used in our classes have been, by the courtesy of the college, the same that were used for the men. The examinations have been very satisfactory and the general grade of excellence such that the instructors have expressed approval of the students. The marks, which are preserved, are generally high.

The health of the students has been good. A few have taken regular exercise under the direction of Dr. Sargent, though not so many as could have been wished.

The library now comprises 771 volumes. The college library has, as in former years, been constantly used by the students, and some of them have been accommodated in Gore Hall, where they have had every necessary privilege accorded them.

During the year the ladies interested in the Harvard examinations in New York city have established a school to prepare women for them, and it will prove a feeder to the annex classes as well, since the examinations are the same. The school is under the care of a former fellow of Johns Hopkins University and will afford an opportunity that has been wanting heretofore. Women have suffered from the lack of such schools.

If the movement is to continue its usefulness an endowment must be secured; for this purpose these circulars make an appeal. It is hoped that it will be successful.