EDITORS HARVARD HERALD: Will you permit me for one to express my unqualified pleasure and satisfaction in the changes that have been brought about in our athletics by the efforts of President Eliot and the faculty committee, as explained by the president of the H. A. A. in your yesterday's issue? In expressing contentment with these measures, I do not think that I am altogether alone among the students of Harvard College. There are many, I think, who have noticed with regret the growing tendency of our college athletics to approach the standard of professionalism. These new regulations, it seems to me, will tend to check this tendency at Harvard, and if our other colleges join with her in this move, with them also. And if this happens Harvard will not be placed at an unfair disadvantage in her contests with other colleges. But what has seemed to many radically wrong in our sports, I think, has been their growing exclusiveness. Of course the highest excellence in all sports is a thing we all approve of and desire to see attained at Harvard; but when almost all athletic exercises become narrowed down to so few men, and only men of naturally fine athletic abilities, or those who are willing to devote a very considerable proportion of their time to training and practice, enter our sports, and men who have only ordinary strength and ability, but who would much enjoy entering into the various sports of the college as a recreation if a chance were offered, are practically barred out, then I think many will rejoice at any fair move looking towards a change in these customs. At present lacrosse and tennis are about the only sports these men have any chance of entering. As an example of this exclusive tendency I may instance the old and new methods of "tugs-of-war" practised at Harvard. Formerly a tug-of-war was an enjoyable sport, in which some forty or fifty or more participated. Now a tug-of-war means a stern and painful struggle between eight straining athletes devoid of any great general interest.

I suppose that complete restoration of the old state of affairs would not be desirable if possible. But could not more opportunities be offered in our sports for more to enter upon them, even if not prepared to play a game equal to professionals? Cannot the old games in base-ball and foot-ball between the classes be restored?

A.