NOW that magenta has given way to crimson, we desire to make a suggestion of a practical nature. All who were at Saratoga last year, or at Springfield in '73, must have been surprised at the various shades that passed for magenta; in fact, it seemed true that verium et mutabile semper magenta. Of late the manufacturers have made less magenta than formerly, and only one American house, it is said, imported a regular line of magenta ribbons; naturally the ingenuous mercer sold any approximate shade as "Harvard's magenta," and that misty notion of colors in general, and magenta in particular, caused startling variations in the colors worn by Harvard men at the races.

Crimson, while a more popular color, has this same disadvantage, and unless some precaution is taken various shades will be sold for crimson. If arrangements could be made with some one house to manufacture and import for Harvard a given line of crimson ribbons which should be dyed after a fixed standard, the difficulty would be obviated. In this case, Harvard men would know just where they could buy the exact shade, and the enterprising shop-men of Saratoga could stock their counters with what was really Harvard's color, and not, as last year, sell quite another shade from the true one. Moreover, ribbon can be manufactured much more reasonably abroad; and the club ribbons furnished at a very reasonable price, and of satisfactory quality. Any large house would contract to furnish Harvard with all the ribbon needed, and then we could be sure of having it all alike. The suits, too, could be made there for less than is charged here, and the whole probably would cost less and be more satisfactory than at present. It is to be hoped that Harvard's color may never again run short, and that the crimson may hold and maintain its old place.