While students are encouraged to proceed to academic degrees, the authorities have always borne in mind the needs of those who could not, for one reason or another, remain in the university for more than a year or two, and who might wish to prosecute their studies in a particular direction without any reference to academic honors.  Such students have always been welcome, especially those who have been mature enough to know their own requirements and to follow their chosen courses, without the incentive of examinations and diplomas.

PUBLICATIONS, SEMINARIES, SOCIETIES.

The Johns Hopkins University has encouraged publication.  In addition to the annual Register or Catalogue, the report of the President is annually published, and from time to time during the year “Circulars” are printed, in which the progress of investigations, the proceedings of societies, reports of lectures, and the appearance of books and essays are recorded.  Encouragement is also given by the Trustees to the publication of literary and scientific periodicals and occasionally of learned essays and books.  The journals regularly issued are: 

I. American Journal of Mathematics.  S. Newcomb, Editor, and T. Craig, Associate Editor.  Quarterly. 4to.  Volume XIII in progress.

II. American Chemical Journal.  I. Remsen, Editor. 8 nos. yearly. 8vo.  Volume XIII in progress.

III. American Journal of Philology.  B.L.  Gildersleeve, Editor.  Quarterly, 8vo.  Volume XI in progress.

IV. Studies from the Biological Laboratory.  II.  N. Martin, Editor, and
W.K.  Brooks, Associate Editor. 8vo.  Volume V in progress.

V. Studies in Historical and Political Science, II.  B. Adams, Editor.  Monthly. 8vo.  Vol.  IX in progress.

VI. Contributions to Assyriology, etc.  Fr. Delitzsch and Paul Haupt, Editors.  Vol.  II in progress.

VII. Johns Hopkins University Circulars. 85 numbers issued.

Another form of intellectual activity is shown in the seminaries and scientific associations which have more or less of an official character.  In the seminary, the professor engages with a small company of advanced students, in some line of investigation—­the results of which, if found important, are often published.  The relations of the head of a seminary to those whom he admits to this advanced work, are very close.  The younger men have an opportunity of seeing the methods by which older men work.  The sources of knowledge, the so-called authorities, are constantly examined.  The drift of modern discussions is followed.  Investigations, sometimes of a very special character, are carefully prosecuted.  All this is done upon a plan, and with the incessant supervision of the director, upon whose learning, enthusiasm, and suggestiveness, the success of the seminary depends.  Each such seminary among us has its own collection of books.