An editorial on the proposed American Academy has called forth a communication, which we print in another column. We think our correspondent takes too serious a view of the matter. No one proposes at present to establish an academy as far as we know, and we think the time is yet far distant when such an academy would be advisable. In fact if there were such an academy, it is our opinion that it should be an academy of the English speaking peoples, and that America should unite with England in its formation. As the purpose of such an academy is to preserve the language in its purity, the best writers of that language should be chosen and not the most prominent Americans or Englishmen.

But allowing the question of the advisability of the institution to rest, we merely ask our readers to select lists which should embody their choice of the most prominent men-of-letters in the country. The number must be limited in some way, and the basis of the French Academy is as good as any. As the popular sentiment has recently been taken in England on the subject of English men of letters, the plan is not a new one. Probably more as a matter of curiosity than anything else the Critic has proposed that such a vote be made in this country, and our desire to compare Harvard's choice with that of the body of readers of the country led us to ask the lists to be sent to us. It certainly seems to be a matter that should interest Harvard men, if they are at all interested in general literature. As a proof that such an interest does exist, we hope that a large number will send in their lists at once. It certainly will not entail any great amount of trouble on any one but ourselves, and the result may prove of considerable interest. Once more, we wish to say that all lists must reach us by tomorrow night, so that we can forward them to New York.