Well authenticated reports have come to our ears from several of the wealthy amateur athletic clubs that very flattering inducements have been held out to Mr. Lathrop to leave Harvard. What Mr. Lathrop's feelings about leaving are, it is perhaps impossible to know; and in any case they do not materially affect the discussion of the question. It is but natural, however, to suppose that, other things being fairly equal, he would prefer to remain at Harvard; and it is equally natural to suppose that he, like any other instructor in the University, can hardly refuse to better his condition. In other words we should suppose that, under the present arrangements Mr. Lathrop could hardly stay at Harvard.

We should like to do what we can to keep Mr. Lathrop here; and for that reason we take this opportunity of bringing before the President and Corporation, who make the appointments, the exact feeling of the students about Mr. Lathrop's work. In the unanimous opinion of the students and of all those who have watched the athletic development at Harvard, Mr. Lathrop has done more for physical development at the University than can possibly be estimated. He has built up the department wonderfully, and today he stands as the foremost in his line of work.

The students praise his work, not because he has helped to win us victories, but because he has been successful in his far broader work of physical development-a work which bears so close a relation to the intellectual life of the University. We are not, therefore, overestimating the importance of this department. We are not exaggerating when we say that Mr. Lathrop's retention is absolutely necessary for the healthy growth of the department; that another such man cannot be found in the country.

We have tried to show that the student opinion in this matter is not confined to one phase of the question, but in this case looks upon the broader relation of athletics to the University. We hardly think the Corporation itself can look upon this question more seriously than do the students. We sincerely hope that the opinions of the student body will influence the proper authorities to see to it that Mr. Lathrop is kept at Harvard.