New-York tribune., 1897-08-11
WILLIAMS COLLEGE.

Ii is reported In The N0rtn AuaIiis Iihh-
script" which Is presumably well Informed on
the subject, that the authorities OF Wiliiams
College intend to limit the size Of future classes
desiring to restrict the number OF students 10
about three hundred in all This. or course VIII
not he accomplished by the arbitrary reJectioh
OF applicants for admission. The design Is 10
raise the standard and at the same time 10
diminish the amount of pccuniary assistance
given to needy students. the expectation DeinS
that for time at least these two cheeks VIII
operate TO keep the attendance within the ue-
sired limit Whether this arrangement be re-
garded as new policy or as n new appiica-
ton Of an old policy Its results will be watched
with interest in educational circles. me pan
is not proposed rs 4 means or relieving a
harassing financial condition already existing.
but rather for the purpose Of preventing n larger
demand upon the resources of the INSTITUTION
than 1t is prepared to supply. The increase III
attendance which the college authorities regret
and wish to stop has not been induced by
lowering of the standard. but 1t is believed to
be due in part to the establishment Of a scien-
tific course and in part to the generosity OF the
college toward students applying for pecunlary
aid For admission to the scientific course
be required. but hereafter the requirements in
French and German will be sufficiently severe
SO it is believed, to offset that concession en-
tlrely. There is. indeed. n possibility that the
scientific course will be dropped. but the other
restrictive measures will certainly be tried first.
For many years Williams has been regarded
as the highest type of small college IL was
finely said that Mark Hopkins and one student
nd n-
the educational influence of that eminent man
upon every one subjected to IT, The college has
never eagerly sought students. being con,ented
to attract the few TO whom its character and
environment were peculiarly congen'al. But
yet under that policy ITS natural growth has now
exceeded. or threatens TO exceed. rhe capacity
Of the college to care for its members in its
own traditional way. and 1t therefore deliberate
ly dscourages a numerical development which
would be embarrassing at the least, and which
might subveTt the Williams ideal. To attempt
to counteract the law of growth Is n risky un-
dertaking for those who are not willing to de-
generate, and 1t would be n total mistake TO
suppose that the men in control AZ Williams
mean to limit its true expansion. Quality Is
more admirable than size. and an educational
institution which cannot hopefully cultivate both
is fortunate when II is governed by men who
insist that the former alone Is Indispensable.
Whatever the immediate consequences OF the
step taken ut Williams may be. II is likely to
give the college still higher repute for thor
oughness Of instruction and for exercising the
mental and moral inspiration Of direct personal
influence. Such distinction as that would in
turn constitute a powerful attraction, of which
the natural effect would be an increased at
tendance; but do not need to assume that
such a result would he unwelcome after the
material conditions to which the new expedients
are adapted had passed away. The college has
noble record, and its future never appeared
more secure.