EDITORS HARVARD HERALD: Thursday evening the last of the Harvard Union debates drew its usual small audience. In comparison with the enthusiasm evinced in smaller colleges, Harvard shows a most remarkable indifference in regard to debating societies. May be that the oratorical spirit of our age is declining, but we suspect that the belief is gaining ground that extempore speaking can be acquired without much training. It should be remembered that seven years' practice in New England school-houses gave skill to Wendell Phillips, and one of the finest characteristics of Burke's writing comes from life-long habit of extemporaneous speaking. We suggest that those who are now making up their elective for next year consider the Harvard Union debates as among the electives. Would not one evening a fortnight be well spent by those who hereafter intend to make any figure in public life? As English 6 will not be given next year, the present juniors must turn to the Harvard Union if they wish practice in debate during their last year. Cannot the Union be made next year a society that more nearly represents Harvard than it has done in the past? Many smaller colleges can surpass Harvard in their debating societies. Is it best to allow this most characteristic feature of old college society to dwindle?

JUNIUS.