The news that Edgar H. Wells '97 has been appointed acting dean of the College for next year may be misinterpreted by many as having permanent significance. This is not the case. Mr. Hurlbut has been granted leave of absence for the academic year 1910-11, and Mr. Wells has been appointed to fill his place temporarily.

For the past twenty years Dean Hurlbut has been an officer of instruction in the University, and has besides held during that period the administrative offices of Recording Secretary and Dean of Harvard College. From 1890 until 1901, he progressed through the positions of assistant and instructor in English to his appointment in the latter year as assistant professor, the position he now holds. From 1895 to 1902 Mr. Hurlbut filled the office of Recording Secretary and at the latter date, received his appointment as Dean.

During this entire period, Dean Hurlbut has been every winter in Cambridge in the service of the University. He fully deserves the year of leisure which the Corporation has granted him, and the CRIMSON takes great pleasure in wishing him the pleasantest of well-earned vacations.

Mr. Wells, Dean Hurlbut's successor, has demonstrated his ability for the office to which he has been appointed by his eminently successful occupation of the office of Assistant Dean from 1905 to 1907. We can look forward to his adding another to his long list of University positions, all successfully filled.