English 35a

At the first lecture in English 35a, Professor Lake carefully explains that the course will be of no use for those who are preparing to pass departmental Bible exams. Just how far he is right is a moot point. At least, one is forced, or should be forced, to read the Old Testament, and if it is the first time, there is some help. Otherwise, very little.

There are very, very few large courses in Harvard University in which there is truly inspired lecturing. Once or twice during the year, there will come a moment, as Professor Lake reads from the Bible, when the scratching of pens and pencils will cease, students will straighten to complete attention, every whisper will fade to nothingness, and, for a few long seconds, the class will hold its breath, while Professor Lake passes the climax of his passage. Such tension can only last for a moment, but the effect of it lasts years. To have been present on one of those occasions is worth two ordinary half courses, and whether or not one may agree with Professor Lake's views, which can hardly be called orthodox, English 35a must be of inestimable value.

French 6

"General View of French Literature"

For those unfortunates who, because of their inexperience in listening to the spoken French, cannot enjoy the romantic Professor Morize or the colorful Professor Allard, other able instructors conduct several English sections in French 6. The course, a hasty survey of French literature from the 12th century to the present day, is expertly planned and conducted. In spite of endless reading reports and irksome "lectures obligatoires," the material covered is made genuinely interesting by the conscientious lecturers. The outside reading includes the best works of each period and can be made enjoyable if done at one's leisure. The course is particularly valuable because of the close connection between the literature of France and French people and politics. For concentrators in French, not a minute of the work put into French 6 will be wasted.

German 26a

German 26a, or German Literature in the first half of the Nineteenth Century, is a course which for the average student covers this period very thoroughly. The lectures, one each week, deal in turn with the lives and works of the major dramatists and poets of the period, while the other two hours during the week are taken up with reading the best from the works of Kleist, Uhland, Heine, and a few representative poems from a dozen of the other most prominent figures of the first part of the century.

In his lectures, Professor Silz shows a fine appreciation of the ability and works of the writers who were most prominent in the Romantic movement and his enthusiasm, although it may seem exaggerated to some, is distinctly refreshing. His remarks are by no means confined to the efforts of each individual, but give a comprehensive view of each writer's relation to the movement. The course is not intended for those who merely wish to dabble in German Romanticism, but for those who are ready to devote some study and give some thought to it.

Italian 1

"Italian Grammar, Reading and Composition"

Similar to all the elementary language courses, Italian 1 is pleasantly dull. Each day students appear with their reading or composition prepared, and the whole period is devoted to cramming grammar and vocabulary into them. Anyone wishing a reading knowledge in this language will find this course useful. However, those who simply want a "snap" should not include this course on