EDITORS OF HARVARD HERALD: Now that the mid-years are almost upon us, the old question about heating Massachusetts again comes up. Past experience has shown that, heretofore, all efforts in this direction have proved of no avail. Is it impossible to heat the building? This is certainly a matter of vital importance to the students who are to have examinations there. In all probability the weather will be very cold during the time of the examinations and the dreary thought of sitting three hours in that ice-house is certainly not encouraging.

During the recent hour-examination in Sophomore Rhetoric the rooms were so cold that a man could see his breath before him. It was almost impossible to sit there, and still more difficult to write. Of course, the majority of men kept their overcoats on and some few tried to write with gloves. This last is somewhat difficult. The instructor himself complained of the cold. If it was too cold for a man who was at liberty to walk around, with his hands in his pockets, and who only staid for a few minutes, what must it have been for one who was obliged to sit still and write for an hour? It is not easy to collect one's thoughts when one is in momentary danger of freezing. A student, after looking over the examination scheme, remarked that he was sure to be "stuck" in two examinations, as they were to be in Massachusetts. This is the general feeling. It is impossible for a man to do himself justice in a room where the mercury is almost down to the freezing point. It is a matter of several per cent. to most men.

Setting aside the question of inconvenience, that of health comes up. Men complain of the evil effects of sitting in chapel for fifteen minutes with cold feet. This is nothing compared to the injurious effects of sitting almost motionless for three hours in Massachusetts. The building is as full of draughts as a barn.

The authorities should certainly take seasonable precautions for ensuring the health of the students. Many serious colds have their origin in this building. If it is impossible to heat the building, let it be abandoned. Sever is surely large enough to furnish room for the examinations. Let Massachusetts be kept carefully, as a relic and reminiscence of by-gone days; that is all it is good for. I hope the students can be aroused to a state of righteous indignation about this matter, as it is of great importance to all. I do not know whose duty it is to take charge of it, but I hope some one will take the matter in hand, at once. '84.