The discussion focuses more on government funding--and whether an institution

that accepts it can remain "private" in any meaningful sense--than on what the

distinctive qualities of a private college might be. Not as rich in detail as one would hope from a literary scholar, but still a good exploration of the modern university scene. WFB: "I am asking you to what extent do you feel encumbered at this moment as the result of the government's playing a role which one of your predecessors, Charles Seymour, conceived of as intolerable. Now you say, 'Well, hell, they're paying for medical research and they're helping with student loans, so what?' " ABG: "No, I don't remember saying, 'So what?' " WFB: "Not quite 'So what?'; but it sounded a little bit so-what-ish. Question: Are they nipping at your heels?" ABG: "Constantly. And so are a lot of other people, but that's all right." WFB: "They have greater sanctions, I suppose." ABG: "To the extent that one is properly accountable for the public's money, one therefore has to account for it."