We present to our readers this morning a general outline of the changes in the elective pamphlet. What at once attracts attention is the rapid increase in the amount of instruction offered in the department of Semitic Languages. Although the opponents of the centralization of universities, if we may use the expression, may oppose such studies on the ground that they are not "practical" it is in the attention to such departments of higher education that Harvard College earns the title of being the first American university. If Harvard wishes to claim a position among the universities of the world, she must present opportunities for instruction worthy of such a position. Completeness in minor departments does not constitute a university in the broadest and truest sense of the word. Although the number of students who wish to study Sanskirt or Zend or Semitic languages may be limited, a university which aspires to lead must be ready to supply the demand however slight. There should be no necessity for students of these languages to go abroad to complete their study. There is a demand for an American university which can offer every advantage possessed by the universities of Germany in these departments. Harvard has tried to answer this demand. Not less gratifying is the increase in the French instruction. The addition of the new courses will do much to improve this department and at the same time keep the standard of the instruction in modern languages fully up to that of the ancient.