the institution of a 'comprehensive inquiry into the whole resources of the university and its colleges, and into the use being made of them.' That Oxford should even consider the idea of a comprehensive inquiry' into the innermost recesses of her treasury is further evidence of the fact that the world spirit of revolution has not left even the universities uninspired. Some months ago Trinity College, Dublin, startled the academic world by the sudden announcement that she had done away with the old system of electing Fellows, and now there are prospects of government auditors inspecting the accounts of what, perhaps, is the most conservative university in the world. The three sister universities of the United Kingdom have always been, to a great extent, self-supporting, and have derived their wealth mainly from endowments and private sources. State assistance never has played a great part in their development. Since the war, however, the relations between the state and the universities all over the Kingdom have become closer. The scheme for the opening of courses to demobilized officers and men of His Majesty's Forces was made possible only by their intimate coöperation, and the good results which already have accrued encourage the thought that in the future

state and university may work in even closer union. Much as some of us may regret its passing, the old spirit of 'aloofness' and sequestered isolation is beginning to disappear from our great universities. Should they decide to accept the government's offer, and subject their accounts to the merciless scrutiny of official accuracy, we have no doubt that many old privileges would suffer, but the universities, as a whole, would not lose by the innovation. The wealth controlled by the great universities is large, but very unevenly distributed; and, while individual colleges may be extremely rich, the university, as such, as well as less fortunate colleges, may be badly in need of money. An official inquiry, followed by judicious grants, would do much to bring about a more even distribution, and there is little doubt that the universities and the whole nation would benefit in consequence. University education has ceased to be a privilege; it has become almost a necessity, and our universities are destined to play a greater part in the life of the state in future than ever before. For that reason it is essential that the bonds between state and university should be strengthened in order that the nation may be better fitted to cope with the huge tasks which lie ahead.

'N

OTHING but a monumental mass of stones. almost as high as some of New York's skyscrapers, with a few ragged bits of wall-a great monument to the Hun spirit of destruction,' is the description of Coucy-le-Château given by one of our Americans in the devastated region. Many of the families whose homes were destroyed are living at the present time in quarries. A dismal picture, indeed; but we hope to bring a ray of light to these brave people who in spite of all that has happened to crush them for four long years are trying to start life once again.

After conferring with Miss Anne Morgan, one of the directors of the American Committee for devastated France, we decided to undertake the building of a farmhouse in Coucy-le-Château which would serve as a model for other people in the region on the same principle as our American demonstration farms, but which would be used as an école ménagère where the children can be taught in the same kind of environment as they would naturally live in. It will also be used as a recreational centre where both young and old may gather. The house

which we have decided to build was designed by a French architect.

This farmhouse will be a part of the foundation of permanent reconstruction. It will be a concrete expression of the interest of The House Beautiful and its friends in helping those in France who have suffered such untold hardships during the Great War-an oasis of hope on this desert of destruction. Here these folks will come for encouragement from the women of the Committee, for new inspiration to tackle the hard work before them. Building this house may seem a very tiny thing to do, but, like the pebble dropped into the ocean, its influence will spread out and out in the good things it will bring to these people.

A list of the contributors to this fund will be kept in a book, which will eventually be sent to France to be kept in the house. An account of the building will be printed monthly in The House Beautiful pages so that all may watch its progress.

If each Living Age reader should send in only one dollar several farmhouses could be built. Do you not want to mail your dollar today?

Enclosed please find...