THE TRAVELLER ON HARVARD'S SHORTCOMINGS.

The column of "Harvard Happenings," in the Saturday Traveller which appeared during the vacation, is racy and interesting. The writer holds very positive opinions concerning the condition of affairs at Harvard and expresses himself concerning the reforms that he believes to be necessary with a vigor and frankness that are very refreshing in these days of chilling conservatism and abundant equivocation. The letter gives a valuable summary of the work accomplished by the new gymnasium during the three years of its existence. It will well repay perusal. The writer concludes: "the success which the gymnasium has met with, from the purely health point of view, has been in great measure due to the many valuable exercising machines of Dr. Sargent's own invention, which were placed in it three years ago. He has invented others, equally valuable, since, but with the usual miserly conservatism of college governments, no inducement has been offered him to put them in the building, or, rather, no money has been put at his disposal for such a purpose. Many of the new ones are being placed in the Union Gymnasium, Boston, and in the gymnasiums at Johns Hopkins, Lehigh, Cornell and Amherst, which are being fitted on his plan, under his supervision. Thus Harvard, with the best building in the country, neglects to keep in the forefront of progress in physical culture, and remains stationary, while smaller institutions take advantage of new ideas. The government of Harvard seems to think that a thing once done is done forever, seems to forget that there is such a thing as steady progress." All of which should be interesting and instructive reading for the Harvard overseers and corporation, who, in view of the recent unrestricted bequest of over $100,000 to the college, can hardly plead poverty in excuse for exasperating tardiness in adopting needed reforms.

The English department is severely criticised - Prof. Child for his peculiar marking system, "so severe, and so greatly in contrast with that of other instructors that his students are at once placed at a great disadvantage in the struggle for rank, upon which depend college honors, scholarships and other important matters;" and the corporation in general for the inadequacy of its provisions for the teaching of English composition and rhetoric. The article is interesting reading.