LACK OF STANDARD BOOKS.

A large assignment of reading, one week in which to complete it, two or four books available, two hundred students trying to get at them--this is a common experience of every man who has tried to do his work faithfully, without going to the expense of buying a volume that in all probability he will never be called on to open again. Our instructors tell us to do our work systematically, to "come early and avoid the rush." Would that it were possible.

A short time ago in one of our large economic courses the prescribed reading consisted of over one hundred and ninety pages, distributed evenly between two books. The reading is hard, and he is an exceptional man who can finish it in less than four hours. In Gore and Harvard Halls combined there are four copies of each of the books; one hundred and fifty men take the course, each one of whom, if lucky, can secure the required book for one hour at a time. Gore Hall is open seventy hours each week; Harvard Hall is open forty-eight. What are the chances for each man to complete the required reading? Even the instructor who advocates the "come early" theory will have to admit they are slim.

Such a state of affairs is not conducive to systematic study and the avoidance of the all too prevalent tendency of putting off until tomorrow what we do not have to do today. More standard editions are badly needed, if our weekly reading is to be more than a bargain counter rush.