The popularity of the study of economic subjects is again shown by the large sections enrolled in Political Economy I. It is a very favorable sign of the times that this course, although one of the acknowledged "hard" courses, should always be elected by such a large number of students. It is another answer to one of the strongest objections urged by the opponents of the elective system, who contend that when a student is allowed his choice of studies the tendency will be towards electing those subjects that are less difficult. But the fact that in every class a majority of the men take Political Economy some time during their college course, shows that college students are well aware of the importance of the subject. In this connection a letter in the current Nation on "Political Economy in German Universities," is of interest. After speaking of the instruction given by professors, the writer says:

These lectures are supplemented by the politico-economic Seminar, which is organized as a department of the university. Its object is to provide opportunities for those who wish to make a specialty of economics. It is a society of students under the direction of a professor. It meets for two or three hours, regularly, once a week, sometimes oftener. The exercises consist of essays by the students on subjects suggested by the director, followed by discussion and criticism of them. At the beginning of the term the professor prepares a list of subjects, theoretical, practical and historical, from which each of the members of the Seminar chooses two or more which he agrees to present during the term. A programme is made out, and one or two of these essays assigned to each session. The subjects being known beforehand, each member of the society is expected to prepare himself for the discussion which follows the reading. Such subjects as the following are assigned: Value, Banks of Issue, Double Standard, Income Tax, State Ownership of Railways, etc. The student is expected to know, for instance, in the first case, the opinions of all prominent economists in reference to the subject, and their definitions of it. He must be able to give reasons for his own view, accompanied with refutation of the views he rejects, etc. It will be seen that the director has an excellent opportunity in his questions to test the thoroughness and extent of the student's investigation and to form an opinion of his ability."

Although this field is to some extent covered by the Union and the Finance Club, it seems that a society modelled more exactly on this plan might be popular at Harvard.