a kohl' da bo zahr', the French government's school of fine arts, in Paris, perhaps the most important institution of its kind in the world. It was founded in 1648 by Mazarin. Courses are offered in drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, engraving, modeling and gem cutting. The school of architecture is now one of the most important branches of the Ecole des Beaux Arts. In 1666 the prix de Rome was instituted, and competitions for this take place at this school. The competition is open to all artists between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five, whether pupils of the school or not, after they have passed two preliminary examinations. The successful competitors are given an annual allowance from the State for three or four years, two of which must be passed at Rome. There are in the school about 1300 students, most of whom are French. The number of Americans is larger than that of any other foreign nation.