The men in German I. who were unable to procure the text-book last term, will be excused from the mid-year examination, if they desire.

"Lend me your ears," quoted a Chicago orator, and a wicked St. Louis man who was present said it was a big loan to negotiate in Chicago.

It is rumored that a subscription will be started in the spring to pay for a large fountain to be placed in the part of the college yard in front of the library.

The hero of Daudet's new novel, "Numa Roumestan," is rumored to be a slightly-disguised picture of Gambetta. The first edition in Paris numbered 45,000 copies.

We are afraid that the large cavity between Boylston and the library, unless soon filled, will be pronounced decidedly "earthy" by the inimitable Oscar when he visits Cambridge.

The men in History III. yesterday morning were considerably amused by a young setter pup who persisted in remaining in the lecture room, and seemed desirous of acquiring a broader knowledge of the English constitution.

G. P. Putnam's Sons have begun to publish a series of volumes on "The Literary Life," edited by William Shepherd. The first volume is on "Authors and Authorship," and is made up of selections from various writers upon the profession of literature.

The old cars which the Union Railroad Company has so kindly fitted up as smoking cars for the convenience of the students, present a very fine appearance. They are painted white and have the words, "smoking car," painted in large letters on the sides, and also on the ends, so that they may be easily distinguished from the others. The means for ventilation are very good, there being two large ventilators in the roof besides the two rows of small windows at the top. They are to run every fifteen minutes.

The late Dr. J. W. Draper, professor in the University of the City of New York, was of English birth and education, although he received his degree of M. D. at the University of Pennsylvania. His reputation was even broader in Europe than in this country, and several of his works received their first publication abroad. His "Intellectual Development of Europe" has been translated into many languages. The best known of his other works are: "The Conflict Between Religion and Science," "History of the American Civil War," "A Text Book of Chemistry" and "Human Physiology."

VIII. KAL. FEB.Why that mien of tearful anguish;

Why that look of haunting care?

Does he mourn some friend beloved;

Is his dear one false, though fair?

Can I smooth thy wrinkled brow,

Can I ease thee, child of sorrow?

Ah, no! I've cut one-half the term,

I have my first exam tomorrow.

WHAT IS A KISS?Scientifically considered, a hearty kiss resembles in principle nothing so much as the action by which the lump-sucker fish attaches itself to a stone, or that of the leather "suckers" with which urchins delight to lift pebbles. The lips of the kisser are pressed against those of the kissee, a slight exhaustion of air is caused by a "drawing" action on the part of the agent active, and the two actors in the farce are temporarily attached to each other by the pressure of the external air. The kisser ceases to exhaust the air within his mouth; the attachment is broken, the farce ended.