So much is made to depend upon the Annual and Semiannual examinations that instructors ought to require as little purely mechanical work in the examination-room as possible. The case is aggravated when an instructor, to all appearances simply from neglect, makes men use up unprofitably a large part of the three hours which are so valuable to all, and during which some may be laboring for their very collegiate existence. In the examination in History 3 last Monday, a serious and unnecessary hindrance stood in the way of the best possible work. Instead of furnishing printed papers, - a custom which, if not required by regulation, is certainly enjoined by the unwritten law of the College, - the Professor chose to have the questions inscribed on the blackboard, as is done for boys at schools. Now the eyes of many of us are not in the best condition in the season of the Semiannuals, and deciphering hieroglyphics at a time when every moment was precious proved a painful and irritating task. The Faculty have succeeded this year in crowding seventy-two examinations into eighteen days, and can congratulate themselves that they have thus made the work harder than ever before. They should therefore more than ever take pains to be considerate in such minor matters.