TO THE EDITORS OF THE CRIMSON: -

IN the correspondence column of the last number of the Advocate, I noticed a letter from a Freshman, who justly complained that in my report of the subscriptions to the H. U. B. C., only eight dollars had been paid by his class, whereas he himself had paid ten dollars to some person whom he thought authorized to receive it. In answer to this, I should like to say that the account was made out before the publication of the catalogue, and therefore some unavoidable mistakes were made in separating the names according to classes. In looking over the list again I find that there is one Freshman who has paid ten dollars, but whose name was unfortunately placed in the wrong class. He can rest assured that his subscription has gone to the purpose for which he intended it.

P. TUCKERMAN,Assistant Treasurer, H. U. B. C.A QUESTION OF SPELLING.TO THE EDITORS OF THE CRIMSON: -

SINCE the beginning of the term I have received three invitations from University 5. Whenever I want to inform a friend of the fact I am in doubt as to the correct expression. Ought I to say that I have had three summons or three summonses? The notices on the bulletin boards seem to sanction the latter form. Then must I say that I am summoned or summonsed? If I have received three summonses, it is only consistent to say that I have been three times summonsed.

The noun summons is derived from the French semonce, an invitation to a ceremony, - a peculiarly happy derivation in view of its present use. The verb to summon (which in England, by the way, is always pronounced summonce) is derived from the French semoncer, to reprimand, to lecture, to give any one a talking-to.

If the derivative has preserved in Cambridge its primitive meaning, I should like to know it, but my main purpose in writing is to find out whether to summon or to summons is sanctioned by the best usage. If the Crimson, or any of its contributors, can throw any light on this subject they will oblige

Yours truly,

D. G. H.TROUBLESOME NEIGHBORS.TO THE EDITORS OF THE CRIMSON: -

THIS year I board at Memorial Hall, and I have a seat at a table on the dais at the end of the Hall. I can't say that I like it quite as well as I did Brown's, but, on the whole, I think it good enough for a law-student like myself. You see I did n't get my degree last year, and so now I am determined to rough it. To come to the point, I had always regarded the men who boarded here somewhat in the light of barbarians, but I was hardly prepared to find them sunk so deep in their barbarism. You will scarcely believe me, I imagine, when I tell you that at one table at my end of the Hall a regular debating society has been formed. Fierce discussions take place at breakfast, lunch, and dinner on subjects of every kind. I have heard them discuss free-thought in all its aspects at one meal, and at the next the probable course of Mukhtar Pasha. They keep a war-map at the table for reference. I can overhear every word they say, though there are two or three tables between us. Their violent gestures and reckless use of knives and forks may give force to their arguments, but they have the additional effect of entirely destroying my appetite.

Hoping that you will be able to start a reform, I remain

Sincerely yours,

LEX,