The generous bequest of the late Charles Martin Hall, of Niagara Falls, New York, is most fortuitous in view of the policy of expansion in recent years adopted by the Administrative Board, as well as conducive to broader understanding between Orient and Occident. In addition to physical growth as a geographical unit, in conjunction with the University of Peking, Harvard is now enabled to become a part of the great equalizing force of modern civilization. Whether or not the theory of the decline of Western culture is accepted, it must be agreed that both the Chinese and the American university will be of increased intellectual service.

The work, which is to start next autumn, will be under the joint direction of the Hall executors and the faculties of the two universities. This equitable distribution of supervision cannot fail to promote an exchange of scholars and students profitable to East and West; Chinese culture will be studied through the direct medium of the Chinese tongue, and the American methods of research will in a similar manner be transmuted to Peking.

Although Harvard is not the first in the field--Yale-in-China has long been an established fact--the munificence of the donation, which is said to be the largest of its kind in the country, will undoubtedly play a large part in assuring it a ranking position. The addition of valuable manuscripts and works of art to both the Cambridge and the Peking collections will not only enrich them but also serve to cement the bonds of friendship between the people of each country.

The significance of the prospective relationship makes difficult an adequate appreciation of the generosity and foresight which placed Harvard among the beneficiaries of the bequest and the recipients of scholastic stimulus.