To learn of the amount of aid brought to needy students who are struggling to put themselves through the different departments of the University would astonish outsiders and would, for that matter, surprise most Harvard men. We do not refer to the scholarships, the loan fund, and the like, the benefit of which is well-known; but to the quiet work done by individuals for those who are seen to be in need of help. Wealthy men here, not generally given the reputation of having concern for their fellow-students, have been known time and again to give large sums for men whom they had seen about them, and, in the giving, to keep their own personalities wholly in the background. Members of the Faculty say that many times each year they are called upon to be the medium in assisting poor men with the means of the rich. A large number of the wealthy men are glad to give, if only they can be sure that they will not be known to have given.

The benevolence here will always be unassuming,- done with any purpose than for display. It is the characteristic of the Harvard spirit. The fact is constantly overlooked by those who, from the outsider's point of view, make their estimates and their criticisms of Harvard.