The report of President Eliot for 1889-90 to the Board of Overseers contains the usual full account of all the University activities for the year and summarizes, besides commenting on, the additional reports which accompany it submitted to the President by the heads of all the departments.

The President speaks first of changes in the administrative boards and passes next to the new statutes recently put into effect through the dissolution of the Faculty of Harvard College and of the Scientific School, and the organization of the single Faculty of Arts and Sciences to have charge of the college, the Scientific School and the graduate School, as well as the delegation of Faculty powers to sub-administrative boards.

A study is made of the schools and colleges which feed Harvard. The number of public schools is certainly increasing, and in 1890 "no fewer than 122 schools and colleges contributed the 348 persons who entered from schools and other colleges." The largest number sent by a school was 28 and only seven schools sent more than 10 pupils. In 1890 also 48 colleges and universities supplied 63 students.

The average age of freshmen is still too high and remains at nineteen years, at which point it has remained for 10 years in spite of the efforts of the authorities to reduce it.

The re-organization of the Annual Announcement of Instruction as perfected last year is mentioned. The changes result in a better departmental organization. There is unity in each department and the relations with the large Faculty are at the same time promoted. This development of departmental authority and activity gives assurance that the organization of separate degree-giving schools of particular arts or sciences, as in vogue at other colleges, will not be needed at Harvard. The central Faculty, freed by its subordinate boards from the charge of administrative details, will be able to treat wisely and efficiently, with the help of its departmental and other standing committees, the fundamental questions of admission, residence, instruction, aids and honors, examinations and degrees, in the best interests of the body of students soon to be numbered by thousands.

The attention always given to the development of the arts of writing and speaking among undergraduates is discussed. Care has been taken to foster the courses in English composition, the writing of theses and the criticism involved by seminary and conference methods.

The number of persons who take second year and final honors does not increase, but diminishes relatively to the number of students. The natural inference is that very few students wish to specialize, or that the requirements for honors are unreasonable. Even in the Faculty there are two opinions as to the advisability of seeking honors except by young men who intend to teach.

The number of special students does not increase, the practice of the Faculty committee being to reject candidates not recommended for admission by their former teachers.

In athletic sports two important improvements have been made in the selection and management of the "teams." 1. None but bona fide members of the University taking a full year's work, and none but amateurs by the accepted definition, were allowed to represent the University. 2. Freshmen were defined to be first-year students, regular or special of the College or Scientific School. Moreover, improvement has been made in medical supervision of the teams and in the financial management. The probability is that with good management every sport can be made self-supporting except in the case of extraordinary expenses.

The equipment of the Weld Boat House and the acceptance of the Soldier's Field are recorded. The University now owns on the south side of the Charles River 21 acres of upland and 93 acres of marsh with frontage on North Harvard St. and right of way to Western Avenue. The only restriction is as to building on Mr. Longfellow's gift.

A new dormitory is recommended containing a large number of rooms well finished and fitted up which could be let for $50 a year. There are now but few room accommodations for such men as use the Foxcroft for their meals.

The Lawrence Scientific School is more flourishing than it has ever been before since its foundation in 1847. Two new endowed professorships are needed, one in the theory and practice of motors and machinery and one in architecture. The first would reinforce the departments of physics, mathematics, and engineering; the second would assist work in archaeology, history, belles lettres and particularly the history of the fine arts.

The Graduate School is flourishing. Henceforth, as a rule, appointments to foreign fellowships will not be renewed more than once.

The Divinity School, with a larger income, has had two successive annual deficits. Additional endowment is needed.

The Law School has reaped the benefit of an additional income by increased opportunities for instruction. The average age of college graduates when admitted is 23, of non-graduates 22. The proportion of Harvard B. A's. is increasing; graduates of other colleges and non-graduates are diminishing in number. The practice of doing three years' work in two is dying out.