WE ARE SEVEN

The selection by the Governing Board of the Union of the entire Corporation of Harvard University as recipients of the honor that was to have been given to "a prominent Harvard graduate" brings a flood of mingled feelings into the mind of the student. An award that goes to seven, where one had expected the bringing forth of a single mighty son, smacks at first of cavilling judgment.

It becomes gradually clear, however, that for the initial award after the renascence of an old tradition, the Union has done rightly to forego the selection of a single alumnus. The honor of being the most prominent Harvard graduate would be a doubtful one, even were it the intention of the Union to make choice upon that understanding. The question was sensibly beggared by the announcement that the dinner would be given merely to "a prominent Harvard graduate."

But even careful phrasing is soon garbled by the inferential methods of headline writers. By spreading thin the butter on their first loaf the Governing Board of the Union has rationalized the honor, and set a standard of importance for the awards that are to come.