THE communication from "Z.," printed in another column, complaining of the peculiar "marking system" adopted in German 7, meets with our unqualified approval. We wish it to be distinctly understood, however, that it is not intended to find fault with the instructor in that elective, as a teacher. In that capacity he is regarded by the students as competent and faithful, and his duties are performed in the most conscientious manner. But this does not prevent our condemnation of his system of marking, which we regard as absolutely wrong. Solid substantial instruction is the main object in taking any elective, and marks, whether high or low, cannot affect the student's real acquirements; but so long as he is required, in order to test the faithful performance of duty, to submit to examinations, upon the result of which college rank is made to depend, such examinations should be fair and impartial, and they should be based upon sound, well-regulated general principles, rather than the arbitrary and fanciful theories of each individual instructor.