College Conferences.

The conferences that now exist in several departments of the college are the natural result of the methods of study at Harvard, especially among the more advanced students. They are voluntary organizations of instructors and students that meet from time to time, usually at definite intervals, for the purpose of bringing together the men in any branch of study, so that they may easily compare notes. The work done in this way does not count towards a degree. The work is entirely voluntary and is not intended to take much extra time.

The Philosophical Conference was started in 1890 by the instructors of the philosophical department. They felt that the many students scattered in the various small philosophic courses, had no adequate means of uniting their interests; so the attempt was made to get the men together at the houses of the various professors, for social and philosophical intercourse. The meeting always closes with an informal supper. At present any man who holds a degree and is taking one or more courses in philosophy is eligible to membership. This year there are ninety-six members, an increase of about twenty over last year. Almost all the American colleges are represented. It is safe to say that there is no where else in the country such a large body of philosophical students. This winter the meetings are held the second Monday of each month.

The Modern Language Conference was also founded in 1890. The primary object of this conference was to unite the students in all the modern language courses. This is of especial importance, because it is very necessary to emphasize the need of real cooperation of all students in any of the modern language courses. It is most hurtful for the men to be engrossed in the study of German or French or English, at the expense of everything else. A full understanding of any of these subjects can only be had by studying the others. The conference meets now every two weeks, with an average attendance of twenty to thirty. Just now an attempt is being made to apportion the many scientific and philological journals among the different men, who keep track of their contents and report from time to time. The interests of the conference are very general and cover all the modern languages.

The Geological Conference differs slightly from the others, in that it counts toward a degree for the students in Geology 22. The conference was formerly Geology 16 and was changed, better to accommodate and unite the students of Geology 20, 22, 23, and 24. The meetings are held regularly at the museum. Every one interested in the subject may attend. Students of Geology 22 are obliged to attend in order to report on the advanced field work that they are doing. Papers are generally read and discussed by professors and students, and an attempt is made to keep track of recent investigations and researches.

The Semitic Conference was, with the exception of the Geological Conference, the first to be organized. It was formed in 1882 as a seminary. The object of Professors Toy and Lyon was to promote intimacy among the more advanced students and to study special topics lying within the Semitic field. Three years ago, when by a vote of the faculty all such organizations not counting for degrees lost the title of seminary, the Semitic Seminary became the Semitic Conference. This year it counts for a degree and is once more a seminary. It meets once a week. Its social side has been abolished. The work for the year is confined to the critical study in Hebrew of the book of Ruth.

The Sanskrit Conference is perhaps less formal than any of the others. The work this winter will not begin till the second half year. Professor Lanman began the formal meetings in '66, which he held at his room in Stoughton. The meetings have been held since then with tolerable regularity. Last year, besides Professor Lanman, Professors Davis and Goodale, and Mr. Moore and Mr. Warren spoke informally at the meetings, on subjects of interest to students of Sanskrit.