THE New York Evening Post has noticed at some length an editorial on the study of Political Science which appeared in the Magenta of March 12. For some time past the Post has been urging upon our colleges the necessity of devoting more attention to this subject; and it expresses its approval of our views upon the matter. It imagines, however, from some careless expressions of ours, that the study of Political Economy is confounded with that of the Constitution at Harvard, as it appears to be at some other colleges; and that both are studied in the most abstract manner. As our former article appears to have been misunderstood in so high a quarter, it may be well to supplement it with a brief notice of the present scope of the required and elective courses in Political Science at Harvard. On the importance of such studies we will not at present dwell.

During the latter half of the Sophomore year two hours a week are devoted to the study of the Constitution of the United States and of the Elements of Political Economy. These subjects are kept entirely distinct. The Constitution is first studied, and the recitations are practically lectures by the instructor upon the application and history of the various sections which come before the division. After the Constitution, or at least the text of it, has been mastered, it is laid aside; and the remainder of the year is devoted to the study of Political Economy.

The information acquired in the course of four months is necessarily of the most elementary description. It is nevertheless practical, for every subject has been illustrated by references to history and by comments upon its working; and there are now two elective courses in Political Science, - the one using the works of Fawcett and Blanqui as text-books; the other that of J. S. Mill. In both courses Bagehot's Lombard Street is studied, and in one of them special attention is paid to the subjects of currency and taxation. These courses are conducted on the very plan which the Post supposes to be unknown in America, - the instructor devotes a great portion of his time to pointing out the practical application of the theories studied.

These courses are parallel. It is proposed to unite them next year, and to institute an advanced course in the same subject, to be conducted in the same general way. Whether there is at this moment open to undergraduates a course in which Constitutional Law is critically studied we are unable to say. If there be none, it is to be hoped that one will soon be supplied.

As it is, however, the Harvard student can study Political Science in a manner very similar to that which the Post demands; and it is safe to say that, if he avoid the cramming against which our former editorial was directed, he will be able to undertake a voyage in the ship, of state without fear of unpleasant consequences from the unsteady motion of the vessel.