In his excellent article on "Harvard Clubs," in the recent issue of the Monthly, Mr. Edwin H. Abbot has emphasized several points in which one of the secrets of Harvard's future success seems most assuredly to lie. One of these important points which he has made is in regard to the presence of Harvard instructors and officers at the annual dinners of the Harvard clubs. Of late years the custom of inviting to these meetings the men from Cambridge who are directly engaged in the development of the college has grown very greatly. Mr. Abbot has pointed out with what eagerness the members of these clubs seek for opportunities to keep abreast with the advancements being made in their own college; and of how much practical good for our University such meetings prove.

Excellent, however, as these re-unions are, it can hardly be expected that they can be kept up on an increasing scale unless some change is made. At present the expenses of the long journies of their guests are proving too heavy for the clubs in the far west. What, then, can be done to keep up the spirit which is threatening to die away? Mr. Abbot gives the answer in his suggestion that the Corporation undertake the expense of sending yearly to each club some man closely connected with the present affairs of the University. Such action might seem to the Overseers, who are ever conservative, too radical. We do not see how they could justly consider it in that light. Without the backing of her graduates the University cannot live; and Mr. Abbot's suggestion, if carried out, would serve only to put in real touch with the affairs of the University those graduates whose co-operation and support are absolutely necessary. Unless the Overseers take some such action as this which Mr. Abbott has suggested, or one which will have like results, they can hardly fail to pursue a disastrously short-sighted policy.