In the Square this week, though, nothing seemed to matter but bargains. "We're going into every building," says high school junior Doreen Raphael, a Long Island resident visiting the Square on a quest for Harvard boxer shorts.

"I bought a $75 sweater for $22.50. Can you believe it?" says Boston University freshman Rachel S. Cohen, excitedly clutching bags filled with purchases from several Square haunts.

But some students expressed reservations that clearance sales often don't sell what they advertise.

"I don't like clearance sales simply because stores are usually left with odd-sized or clothes no one wants to buy," says Claverly resident Jon A. Stein '89.

Others were concerned that the commercial hype associated with Presidents' Weekend season might overshadow the patriotic significance of the holiday.

"It is a profanation that the holiday days of our great president are now sale days. Instead of going to patriotic celebration, you go get a bargain. It's very American, too much so," says Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield '53, who nonetheless admits to being "a great fan" of Filene's basement.

But Dunwalke Assistant Professor of Government Alan Brinkley, not a bargain hunter himself, says that conclusions about the commercialization of American government tied to Washington's Birthday sales would be difficult to draw.

"The major significance of Washington's Birthday to most Americans is having a day off and sales. Washington has become a purely symbolic figure and it's not surprising that Washington's Birthday has little meaning in that context," he says.