This year attention has been drawn to a change in our curriculum. Two new courses, Political Economy X and History XX, have been established, wholly or in large part as experiments, which are important because they introduce into undergraduate work an entirely different method of study from that hitherto pursued. These courses are open only to graduates and to 'undergraduates of high rank or special promise,' and are intended to afford an opportunity for the special investigation of topics under the guidance of an instructor.

In these courses regular recitations are held, and no examinations are given; the men meet the instructor at certain times merely to show him their work and to obtain his advice as to its further pursuance. The student is relieved from all hack-work, and is afforded an opportunity of pursuing his special topic with the maximum freedom.

It is obvious that, since these courses are open to undergraduates, they must be taken in connection with the regular college work. They count either as a whole or half courses. Already complications have arisen as to the number of them that may be taken at one time. If the present courses prove successful, as we have no doubt they will, and the other departments offer similar ones, a very considerable problem looms up in the near future. Can a student elect more than one such course at one time? It seems to us eminently proper that he should be allowed to do this. In our opinion an earnest man could carry two of these special courses, and do in each more than sufficient work to justify his being allowed to enter them. The actual amount of work done would, we think, be five or six times greater in amount, and infinitely better in quality, than that done in a course in which he was only half interested. For he would be following out what he desired, - he would be bringing his college work into more real and vital connection with his life work.

Without going further, then, we can see no harm in permitting 'competent students' - who only, according to the words of the announcement, are to be afforded the privilege of entering these courses - to take two courses of this kind. It seems clear enough that no one would be likely to engage in two special investigations and limit his field of work to such narrow lines, unless for good reason and with definite aim. And in such a case the student's desires ought to be gratified. Harvard cannot afford to put any discouragement in the way of an ambitious and eager student.