WHEN the class of '74 was in college, the characteristic feature of Harvard life was the formation of societies. It was then that the Cricket Club and the Athletic Association came into being. The same period saw the birth of Le Cercle Francais, the Chess Club, and the Foot Ball Club; while the College Telegraph Company, which has since been metamorphosed into the College Telephone Company, does not date from an earlier epoch. Several of these organizations have ceased to have any real existence as societies, or even any nominal existence in the Index; but if the energetic men of '74 were to take a look at the inside of Harvard College life to-day, they would not be disappointed in finding energetic and progressive successors. Das Verein, Le Cercle Francais, and the ??? are no more, it is true; but look at the societies that have replaced them.

There is the Art Club, which is devoted to collecting bric-a-brac, and emitting sparks of culture. There is the K. N., which supplies the lack which has so long been felt of an opportunity for developing the polemical and oratorical powers of the undergraduate. The Rifle Club, although it has not succeeded in arranging a match with any but the Cambridge team, has done noble service to the College papers in supplying them with frequent and remarkable scores. An historical society was the last thing discussed ; but the Faculty, recognizing the "social tendency" of these "mutual improvement societies," declined to provide a room for the meetings, and the project has fallen through. The lack of support on the part of the younger classes may perhaps be attributed to the fact that no "shingle" was talked of in the prospectus.

A small but select Lawn-Tennis Club was in active operation last autumn, and a Bicycling Club, we are informed, will be the event of the coming season. It is rumored that as soon as the river is open a few "boating men," who are disgusted with the management of "club system," will probably charter one of Blakey's shells for their private use; so we may expect to see before long a "gentleman-six" on the Charles. To speak of the Fencing Club and the Pigeon-Shooting Club is but to mention other phases of the same spirit of progress. But the greatest advance we have yet noticed in this direction is the organization of a Philosophical Society. Debating societies and associations for the critical examination of heliotypes are all very well in their way; but here we have something that develops the finest powers of the mind, something

"To keen the wit and to embalm the heart."

Exactly how much one must know to gain admittance to the society has not been made public, but it is interesting to note that the problems of a lifetime are settled by the society in the course of an evening's discussion. It has been suggested that they should adopt as a motto, after half a year's study of Required Metaphysics,

"Habe nun, ach ! Philosophie."