New Department in the University" seems to
me of the greatest importance, as it would enable us to carry
forward the studies of each department much farther than at present,
by means of Lectures, for which there is now hardly sufficient
opportunity. Last year there were fifteen Resident Graduates. Why
should not these have formed the Fifth Class?

IV. In regard to the "practical working of any other of the changes
made in our system during the last twenty years," I can hardly claim
any distinct views. Many, perhaps most of them were made before I
came to the University; so that I hardly know what is old and what
is new.

I have made but a brief statement in answer to your enquiries,
partly because writing is a painful process with me, and partly
because many things here touched upon can be more clearly explained
_vive voce_ than with the pen.

I remain, with great regard
Faithfully Yours

HENRY W. LONGFELLOW.{73}

It is a curious fact that more than half a century later, at a meeting
of the American Modern Language Association, held at the very
institution where this correspondence took place, it was President
Charles William Eliot, son of the author of the letter just quoted, who
recognized the immense advance made in this particular department as one
of the most important steps in the progress of the University. His
remarks were thus reported in the Boston "Herald" of December 27,
1901:--

"When the meeting opened yesterday afternoon President Eliot was present
and graciously said a few words of welcome. He said that he knew of no
body of modern learned men whom he would be so glad to welcome as the
professors of language.

"'Here at Harvard,' he said, 'we have been pressing forward for many
years toward the same object you have in view. I congratulate you upon
the great progress made in the last thirty years. One of the most
striking features of American education has been the rapid development
of the study of languages. It has been more rapid at some of the other
colleges than at Harvard. They started at nothing a shorter time ago.
[Laughter.]

"'You are to be congratulated upon the cohesion which exists among
learned men in dealing with this important subject. The study of modern
languages is beginning to connect itself with the life of the nation.