A recent editorial in the News claims that, in spite of criticism. "Yale, as a college is unsurpassed." To support this somewhat bold assertion, it makes the statement that "It is on its traditions that a college can claim its pre-eminence;" that "the closeness of our college requirements forbids any stagnation, it makes necessary a wideness of acquaintance and interest; it has produced what has come to be worded 'Yale enthusiasm.'"

Indeed, Yale must be in a strong position when it can rest for its pre-eminence on "traditions." In how strong a position Yale is at present the readers of current comment know, with alumni on every hand crying for a new president and a new curriculum, for an abandonment of those antiquated methods which have left Yale far in the rear of these modern times.

That the closeness of college requirements broaden a man's views and prevents stagnation is also a new idea. It never yet had that effect in any college that ever existed; and, in the case of Yale, it has not broadened its view of the world, but only aggravated esteem of self. In this "closeness" we can indeed trace the origin of "Yale enthusiasm" which shows itself in bullying smaller colleges and in ungentlemanly annoyance. No one objects to this self-complacent near-sightedness of Yale except perhaps some of her progressive alumni. Certainly Harvard men should not, for they are in a position to smile at her boastful pretentions.