It was in the fall of 1879 that the doors of the Harvard Annex were for the first time thrown open to the young ladies of America. The wish, so long cherished by mothers and fathers, of giving their daughters the same advantages in the way of instruction as were enjoyed by their sons at the foremost institution of learning on the continent, was at last realized. An attempt has been made to induce the Corporation of Harvard University to allow the entrance of young ladies on the same terms with young men; but the conservative body of august men was suffering from an attack of that disease, peculiar to such bodies, known as impecunia. They refused to have anything to do with the new enterprise until its success was established beyond a doubt.

The women who had been prominent in the movement succeeded in gaining the co-operation of many of Harvard's most distinguished professors; and the instruction has been almost wholly given by them. A small sum of $13,000 was raised, which was enough to pay the professors moderately, and to insure the continuance of the experiment for four years. An old house on Appian Way was secured for a lecture and recitation building; but it was thought best not to do anything about a dormitory until it should become legally a part of the college. In the meantime the students have found homes among the families of Cambridge.

The requirements for admission are the same as those of Harvard College; and the courses of study are nearly the same. They include courses in Hebrew, Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, English, German, French, Italian, Philosophy, Political Economy, History, Fine Arts, Music, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Natural History. Of these, English, with 50 students, is the most popular: then come Latin, Greek, History and Mathematics, with 39, 29, 17, 17 students respectively. Political Economy, too, is quite popular. There is connected with the Annex, a library of about 1100 reference books; and the students are besides entitled to the use of books in the University library, a by no means small privilege. Arrangements have been made so that now the young ladies are admitted free to Dr. Sargent's private gymnasium on Church street.

The Annex opened nearly six years ago, with 27 students, and the number has steadily increased, until now there are over 50, with prospects of a still larger number next year. The first class was graduated in 1883, and the graduates found little difficulty in securing excellent positions as teachers in various schools and colleges. Miss Gregory is a professor of History in Bryn Mawr College, near Philadelphia; Miss Byrd is a professor of Mathematics at Carleton College, Minnesota, and had charge of the Time Service at the observatory, when changes were made in the standard time last year.

Financially, the Annex is in good condition. The receipts from tuition, which, by the way is $200, $50 more than the tuition at the college, are sufficient to pay all, except about $4000 of the expenses. This deficit is met by a fund, which is now about $75,000. When this fund reaches $100,000, the Annex will become a recognized part of Harvard University, and the young lady graduates will receive, instead of a certificate stating that they have satisfactorily completed a course of study at "The Society for the Collegiate Instruction of Women"-the incorporate name of the Annex,-a real parchment diploma, which will make them graduates of Harvard.