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Communication.

Report on Exploration of Assos.

We invite all members of the University to contribute to this column, but we are not responsible for the sentiments expressed. Every communication must be accompanied by the name of the writer.

To the Editors of the Crimson:

To is now twenty years since the first ancient world was sent of America, to investigate the remains of Assos. The site was well chosen, and the results of the nearly three years' work of the expedition proved of exceptional interest, and were a contribution of essential value to the knowledge of classical antiquity in general, and of Greek civic architecture in particular.

A preliminary Report was printed by the Institute in 1882, and it was hoped that this would be followed at no long interval by a final Report, and by a volume of plates on a large scale, in which the remains of the ancient city should be carefully presented. Various unavoidable hindrances prevented the fulfilment of this design. At length, in 1898, the Institute was obliged to issue an incomplete final Report. It now proposes to publish the long-delayed volume of plates, from the drawings under the superintendence of Mr. F. H. Bacon, one of the original members of the expedition; but to enable us to do so, two hundred subscribers to the work are required. It has already received the names of more than half this number, and it now appeals to the lovers of Greek antiquity and to the fosterers of classical studies in this country to complete the number needed.

The book will be a large folio size, 21 by 14 inches, and it is proposed to issue it in five sections, each to contain about twenty plates, with brief explanatory letter-press. The price will be five dollars for each part. A prospectus, containing a table of contents and some specimen illustrations, in form somewhat less than half the size of the proposed work, will be sent to any one who will make request for it to Mr. W. F. Harris, 8 Mercer Circle, Cambridge, Mass. Mr. Harris is the treasurer of the work and it is to him that subscriptions should be sent.

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The book is desired by students not only in this country, but also in Europe. It will do credit to America, and it would be matter of regret on many accounts were its publication to fail through lack of support. I therefore venture to ask all those who are interested in the advance of good learning, and who are able to do so, to send to Mr. Harris their names as subscribers. The sooner the list of subscribers reaches the required number, the sooner will the first part of the work be issued.

I am  Your obedient servant,  CHARLES ELIOT NORTON

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