VERY instructive is the second number of Volume II. of the Vassar Miscellany. We scarcely know which article is the more racy and readable, - the political essay on "The Tendency to Centralization of the Government of the United States," or the moral reflections "About Jonahs." Our inability to understand the latter is only a slight drawback to our enjoyment of it, and is more than compensated when we consider how wise she who wrote it must have been.

Those who at present are busy over the Constitution of the United States will find it greatly to their advantage to consult the former of these essays, for many interesting questions are there started. "Is it the violation of any law laid down in the Constitution, is it an element of Insurrection or of Invasion, for a man to place in the ballot-box a vote for whatever candidate he may choose?" Also, "If the militia is called into active service by the President, without the authority of Congress, is this anything but the assumption of Imperial power?" Unfortunately the name of the author is withheld, so that we cannot communicate our solutions to her; otherwise we should make haste to discuss the whole matter in a correspondence.

Under the title of "Keep Warm," some useful hints are given on the requisite quantity and quality of winter underclothing, which, viewed from a practical point of view, strike us as the best we have ever seen. In a most pleasing style are the virtues of flannel and merino set forth, and the advantages of these two fabrics in various articles of apparel carefully detailed. We sincerely congratulate the fair Vassarites on that immunity from colds which Dr. Sanataire's bountiful flannel prescriptions, if regarded, must secure them.

From various hints we surmise that Vassar "Preps," like the Yalensians, are addicted to "peanut bums."

The Williams Vidette gives up four of its columns to a report of a recent sermon on prayer, by Dr. Hopkins, and six more are occupied by an account of a recent alumni dinner at Boston, both of which are, no doubt, interesting reading at Williams. From its locals we learn that one of the seniors chopped his thumb nearly off, and that another, while on a bobbing excursion, was thrown off and struck on his head. In general, however, this species of puerility, which so much mars the character of other more pretentious periodicals, is avoided.

Little Yale Record thinks our existence was rumored as a probable event in the issue of the Advocate next preceding our first number. It hints also its belief - which is a very natural one, and therefore excusable - that our paper is the offspring of a pique on the part of the Sophomores toward the Advocate.

The Georgetown College Journal, by its typographical appearance, would never lead one to suppose that all the type-setting was done by students, which, however, is the fact. We are told in it that they have a college band, but it is nowhere said, as in most of our other exchanges, that they propose to enter a crew for the next regatta. Perhaps the most entertaining piece is the advertisement informing students that Hall and Hume still sell their unequalled Catawba wine at $2 per gallon.

Amherst has been unfortunate in having its boat-house crushed in by the weight of the snow that had accumulated on top of it. The practice boats were kept there, and all were more or less injured, the majority, indeed, rendered entirely useless.

The Argus mourns the vitiated tastes of the Middletowners, who patronize "Combination Troupes" and "Negro Minstrels" five nights in the week, but fail to appreciate a musical entertainment of real merit. It informs us also that, inspired by the sight of the cups won by the Freshmen, Middletown has voted a good crew for the next University race. A boat-house will be erected in the spring.

Rutgers College has raised $2,000 towards sending a crew to next summer's regatta.