The statistics of the University, published this morning, reveal a state of affairs which must be gratifying to every one who is interested in Harvard's welfare. The University as a whole is larger by ninety-two men than it was last year at the same time. In certain departments there is a loss in numbers, but in the Medical and Law Schools, where the loss is greatest, the decrease is a sign of growth rather than retrogression, for in each case it indicate a distinct raising of the standard. The figures in the article are so plain that they require little comment beyond what is given in connection with them.

The greatest significance must be attached to the figures concerning the various schools rather than to those of the college proper. The college has grown, but not proportionately to its size to the extent of the Scientific School or Graduate School. The Scientific School especially has taken a wonderful start. The efforts which have been made to make the school better have resulted not only in increasing the number in attendance, but in improving the quality of the students. Many of them are graduates of colleges who have come here to pursue special lines of study. They are older and more experienced men who would have known enough to go to the excellent technical schools of the country had they not seen the rare opportunity offered them here. The increasing attendance in graduate departments is thoroughly in harmony with the university spirit as distinguished from the college spirit. Indeed, the principal thing shown by these figures is a growing university tendency and this is precisely what we wish most to see.