THE action of an instructor in history in remitting the second of two theses which had been given out as prescribed work at the beginning of the year, is worthy of imitation. This attempt to cram men like Strasburg geese has become a serious matter. More than a fixed amount of work, especially in history, cannot be done without neglect of other courses, and extra work, if forced upon those who take the elective, is performed at the expense of the regular and more important part of the year's study in that department. Thesis-writing compels neglect of the topics on the syllabus. The last examination has shown this to be not a theory, but a fact; and we hope that this is not the only instance where the instructor will perceive the wisdom of giving a broad and general idea of the whole subject rather than the minute examination of a small portion. While mentioning this subject, we would revert to the questionable custom of various professors in withholding marks, or delaying giving them out beyond a reasonable length of time. If students are obliged to work for marks, they should at least have the satisfaction of having them as early as possible.

UNFORTUNATELY for those students who take their courses, there are several instructors who pay no attention to any one's comfort but their own. This has been especially noticeable of late, when, by not posting a "cut" on the bulletin board, the professors have obliged students to tramp up to the Botanical Garden, through the mud, only to find that there was no lecture. It seems to us that when recitations are held so far away as this, or at the Zoological Museum, due notice ought to be given if the instructors intend beforehand to be absent. But they are not content with letting us find out for ourselves that there is to be no recitation. They even employ a person to call the roll in their absence, and then we are made responsible for what we have not missed. The person thus employed, when questioned, said that he thought it was customary, and if not, that it ought to be. This inconvenience surely merits the attention of the Faculty, and we would suggest that a telephone would give great facility of communication between the various museums and University. But whether this suggestion is acted upon or not, we see no reason why grievances such as these should recur.