In the recent pamphlet from the pen of Samuel Brearly of New York, several of the courses now given at Harvard are selected for criticism, and among others English VI. This course, instead of furnishing food for adverse criticism, should receive favorable comment. Its aim is not, perhaps, to make statesmen of all who take part in the discussions. Many of the questions are deep and as yet unsettled. They are the vital questions, however, of the politics of to-day. English VI. affords an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the current literature that has reference to these subjects of debate, and of forming either an acquired opinion, or original judgment on them. These views may be erroneous and may be discarded by those who hold them; but they do not stand for nothing. They represent reading in live questions and practical thinking upon them. But this is not all that is accomplished. Practice in expressing views, whether they are erroneous or well founded, is of great value. Our ability to say something on a political or social topic, counts far more in society than profound but unexpressed learning.
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