ROMANCE IN THE RAIN

Any suggestion that Harvard dig more deeply into its corporate packet and allocate funds for a new purpose, is always suspect on grounds of practicability--however laudable the project may be. Occasionally, however, the phenomenon of a constructive reform which is also inexpensive, comes to light; and in the need for a Center of Romance Civilization, such a combination is to be found.

At present, facilities for the appreciation of Romance culture are scattered throughout the University. In spite of the fact that Romance Languages annually attract a greater under of students than the German Department, nothing comparable to the Germanic Museum exists. A student interested merely in French civilization must visit five buildings: French art is displayed at Fogg, French music is available in Paine Hall, French literature high up in Widener, French phonograph records at the Union, and French movies at the Geographical Institute. Nowhere is there a permanent exhibit of French photographs, maps, sketches, statues, or paintings; nor is there any logical center for French extra-curricular lectures, or for the now moribund French Club. These basic defects--decentralization and inadequacy--are also found in the Spanish and Italian Departments, and both could be corrected by a Center for Romance Civilization.

Only a comparatively small outlay would be necessary. To be sure, no Latin Croesus willing to endow such a Center--as a friend of the Kaiser endowed the Germanic Museum--appears on the horizon. But Hunt Hall, previously Fogg Museum, is admirably suited for such a use. At present Hunt is employed as an office and lecture building, but the Public Administration offices it now houses will soon be transferred to the Littauer Center, the Regional Planning offices could probably be transferred to Robinson Hall, and the Naval Science classes might well be conducted in Sever. Thus although some outlay would obviously be necessary--for transfers, alterations, and equipment--the total cost should not be prohibitive; and possibly the French and Italian governments would be willing to contribute. In the end, such integration of Latin cultures would broaden their appeal and inject into their study a measure of new life. If so, there would seem to be little justification for leaving Romance culture out in the rain, especially when a roof can so easily be provided.