THE Magenta does feel "immensely honored" by the favorable opinion of the Vassar Miscellany. Three months we have been waiting to read their comments; many times we have repented permitting any one to criticise their taste or their wisdom. But the editors are forgiving; they return good for evil. The author of "Literary Ruskinism" will be pleased to learn that his article was especially praised; but he may not be inclined to adopt their advice, and drop Greek at the end of this year. This number of the Miscellany in some respects is not so brilliant as the preceding, but there is less to censure, less, too, perhaps, to wonder at. Some of its exchanges it treats very cavalierly, but for the most part its criticism is fair. The "Department of the Alumnae" we hesitate either to praise or blame. What reason, however, can there be that the author of the plea for an election system should give the following advice? "Elect stern simplicity in dress..... Elect muscle for physical dependence. Dare to mount a wall unassisted; and, further-more, choose a five-mile walk, with a study of nature's coloring by the way, in place of working dogs and dahlias in worsted. Elect a course of reading for a series of formal calls. Elect a little self-control for screaming at a snake." Is it possible that these students are otherwise than simple in their dress; that they wear aught but waterproofs and thick shoes? Is it possible that there are any walls in Pough-keepsie over which they are assisted?

The essay on Charles Reade is particularly just and discriminating, and the views advanced are well sustained. Such contributions are far more attractive than those of like nature with the article on "The Duty of the State to Culture," which formed so large a part of previous numbers.

There is one matter about which we are a little doubtful. Was that article on "Sobriety" written to rebuke the students for unbecoming mirthfulness? It certainly looks that way; but far be it from us to entertain such an idea for a moment. Could their mirthfulness be unbecoming?

WE do not object to heaviness in its proper place, but it is equally disagreeable in biscuit and in college papers. It is not mere dulness and inanity that we refer to, because such things are likely to happen in the best edited Magenta, but downright, ponderous sermonizing. The Denison Collegian is heavy; never apt to be absolutely feathery, the present number is more soothing and sleep-inviting than any of its predecessors. The first article, "What Next?" is excellent from a theological point of view. Then somebody "does" Herbert Spencer's Philosophy of Style, and this is followed by a "literal translation" from Horace, happily named "The Bore"; it is not particularly well done, but comes as a blessed oasis in the desert of Denison. "The True Shekinah" is a racy bit of writing, which quite demolishes the friends of science, whom it accuses of having "lifted up their heels against us and against science too. They have polluted the temple of God, they have sprinkled swine's blood in the Holy of Holies, they have tried to banish the Shekinah. Have they succeeded? Will they succeed?

'The truth that liveth, the thoughts that go,

The spirit ascending, all answer - No,'"

"The Study of Astronomy" is a nicely written rhapsody, indulging in such flights as these, "To his mind uninstructed in the mysteries of science, the starry firmament must have presented a great and wonderful scene. Its silence! its splendor! its immensity! its blue diamond-studded arch, resting upon the unseen and the unknown! Those wonderful lights! What are they? Whence do they come? Whither do they go?" The concluding article, "Perishable," is still more sermon-like than its companions, but is short.

The Cornell Era for April 18 contains an uncommonly pretty poem, entitled "Cayuga Lake," much the best long poem that we have noticed in our exchanges for some time. Something depends, perhaps, upon the prettiness of the name "Cayuga"; it recurs after every three lines: now, should we substitute "Skeneateles" or "Schoodiwabschooksis" in its place, we are afraid that even neat and graceful verses could hardly make the poem a success. For instance, -

What mermaids through thy pathways roam,

Or in hoar caverns make their home,

And drink thy bosom's milky foam,

Cayuga.

Oft has the Indian wooed his maid

Within some covert's tangled shade,

When thou their bridal music made,