Paris was the city of the world; Paris was the capital of France; Paris was a dull and dowdy city. The Sun King looked on the leprous walls and shuddered; he would build a new and sparkling place, a bright and spangled royal home. So he called to him Mansard and the world came to know of gabled roofs, and he called to him Colbert and France was stirred by her first fear of the Bourbonic plague. Versailles was piled high and the long hedges moved out around the fountains. Colbert shook his head and brought out great books to show it could not be done. The Sun King cried out, "Batissez, batissez, toujours. Les etrangers nous payeront," and turned back to the fury of his building. And at last the mirrors reflected the fountains shining in the sun.

The centuries went by. A Kingdom passed away, a Republic came, a great man reeled over Europe, a kingdom came again, and the inevitable Republic followed, a small man flickered on the continent, and then the Third Republic. Versailles saw queer days. Women shouting for bread and a Queen offering cake. The splendor tarnished in the shadows, and silence fell, unending silence, to be broken at last by a German voice and the voice of Empire. And again deep silence.

Half a century later the nations gathered beneath the mirrors to end all war and save all democracy. There was a slick Italian, a leonine Englishman a suave and bitter Frenchman. And there was too a handsome American who wrote beautiful English. Into this gathering he game with careful, scholarly ideals of self determination, and nationality, and a League of Nations to preserve the peace of Europe.

He who wishes to know more may go to hear Professor Baxter speak on "Wilson at Versailles" in Harvard 1 at 11 o'clock this morning.

TODAY

9 o'clock

"Juvenal's Satires," Professor Peterkin, Sever 14.

"The Later Empire," Mr. Hammond, Sever 18.

10 o'clock

"Mabuse," Dr. Kuhn, Fogg Museum.

"Establishment of the German Republic," Professor Fay, Harvard 1.

11 o'clock

"The United States and the Peace Settlement," Professor Schlesinger, New Lecture Hall.

'Rembrandt: The North Nations," Professor Edgell, Fogg Large Room.

"Wilson at Versailles," Professor Baxter, Harvard 1.