ke any position which would involve me
in an effort to draw American students from the German universities.

He replied that neither objection could be urged in the case.
The American committee would act only as an adviser to the French
committee, and its sole purpose was to make known to the latter
what arrangements as regarded studies, examinations, and degrees
would be best adapted to meet the views and satisfy the needs of
American students. There was, moreover, no desire to draw American
students from the German universities; it was only desired to give
them greater facilities in Paris.

The case was fortified by a letter from M. Michel Breal, member of
the Institute of France, and head of the Franco-American committee,
as it was called in Paris, expressing a very flattering desire that
I should act.

I soon gave my consent, and wrote to the presidents of eight or
ten of our leading universities and several Washington officials
interested in education, to secure their adhesion. With a single
exception, the responses were unanimous in the affirmative, and
I think the exception was due to a misapprehension of the objects
of the movement. The views of all the adhering Americans were then
requested, and a formal meeting was held, at which they were put into
shape. It is quite foreign to my present object to go into details,
as everything of interest in connection with the matter will be
found in educational journals. One point may, however, be mentioned.
The French committee was assured that whatever system of instruction
and of degrees was offered, it must be one in which no distinction
was made between French and foreigners. American students would
not strive for a degree which was especially arranged for them alone.

I soon found that the movement was a much more complex one than it
appeared at first sight, and that all the parties interested in Paris
did not belong to one and the same committee. Not long after we had
put our suggestions into shape, I was gratified by a visit from Dom
de la Tremblay, prior of the Benedictine Convent of Santa Maria, in
Paris, a most philanthropic and attractive gentleman, who desired to
promote the object by establishing a home for the American students
when they should come. Knowing the temptations to which visiting
youth would be exposed, he was desirous of founding an establishment
where they could live in the best and most attractive surroundings.
He confidently hope