thus far published.

The work on this series was one of the last acts of Edward Bok's
editorship; and it was peculiarly gratifying to him that his editorial
work should end with the exposition of that Americanization of which he
himself was a product. It seemed a fitting close to the career of a
foreign-born Americanized editor.

The scope of the reconstruction articles now published, and the clarity
of vision shown in the selection of the subjects, gave a fresh impetus
to the circulation of the magazine; and now that the government's
embargo on the use of paper had been removed, the full editions of the
periodical could again be printed. The public responded instantly.

The result reached phenomenal figures. The last number under Bok's
full editorial control was the issue of October, 1919. This number was
oversold with a printed edition of two million copies--a record never
before achieved by any magazine. This same issue presented another
record unattained in any single number of any periodical in the world.
It carried between its covers the amazing total of over one million
dollars in advertisements.

This was the psychological point at which to stop. And Edward Bok did.
Although his official relation as editor did not terminate until
January, 1920, when the number which contained his valedictory
editorial was issued, his actual editorship ceased on September 22,
1919. On that day he handed over the reins to his successor.

The announcement of Edward Bok's retirement came as a great surprise to
his friends. Save for one here and there, who had a clearer vision,
the feeling was general that he had made a mistake. He was fifty-six,
in the prime of life, never in better health, with "success lying
easily upon him"--said one; "at the very summit of his career," said
another--and all agreed it was "queer," "strange,"--unless, they
argued, he was really ill. Even the most acute students of human
affairs among his friends wondered. It seemed incomprehensible that
any man should want to give up before he was, for some reason,
compelled to do so. A man should go on until he "dropped in the
harness," they argued.

Bok agreed that any man had a perfect right to work until he _did_
"drop in the harness." But, he argued, if he conceded this right to
others, why should they not concede to him the privilege of dropping
with the blinders off?

"But," continued the argument, "a man degenerates when he retires f