Page:Essays on the Higher Education.djvu/101

 is also due to the fact that college Faculties have relaxed in many of their old severities and petty exactions, and have taken the young men—whether by some scheme devised or by the common consent of all hearts and wills—more into their confidence. It is also due to the influence of well-regulated athletic sports, which provide an outlet for the expenditure of that surplus vitality in which youth rejoices. The New Education has no monopoly in these improvements. Nor do I believe that it can show any advantage in these matters as compared with that blending of things new and old which is prevalent at Yale.

It is also claimed that the New Education has the stamp of approval in the special amount of popular favor which it has secured. It is shown that the period during which the new method has been on trial has been one of "unexampled prosperity" for Harvard, its representative. Rich men have signified their acceptance of it by generous gifts. Parents and sons have ratified the system, as may be seen by the increase of numbers which has taken place under its working. There can be no doubt that the last fifteen years exhibit a splendid record of growth at Harvard, both in numbers and in resources. But it will scarcely be claimed by Professor Palmer that all the generous gifts it has received have been designed to set the seal of approval from their donors upon its peculiar methods. Other sums of money,