One of the rules governing the instructors of the university is that no examination shall extend beyond three hours. The corporation wisely foresaw that, if no such restriction were enacted, students would be constantly treated with the utmost inconsideration by some professors whose sole aim in examinations is not to discover what the student may know, but to impress on him how absolutely little knowledge of the subject he possesses. The more he succeeds in convincing the student that he is groping in absolute ignorance, the more satisfaction does he seem to take unto himself. This rule the authorities have enacted and it is their duty to see that it is rigidly enforced. Yesterday, during the examination under one of the finest professors in the university, the proctors were sent around toward the close of the three hours to inquire of the men who were being examined how much of the paper each one had finished. When it was ascertained that no one had completed over two-thirds of the work assigned, the professor rose and kindly informed the men that he would allow them four hours - from ten until two - to finish the paper. The gentleman undoubtedly thought that he was doing an act of kindness and charity in thus prolonging the time, but the truth is that he had no right - divine or otherwise - to give a paper which not even the best men in the course could finish and finish well in three hours. Moreover, the length of examinations should be adjusted to the capabilities of not one or two or three leading men of the section, but to those of the average man - that is, neither the best nor the poorest; in this way an opportunity is given to the one to write the paper with distinguished excellence, and to the other with reasonable credit. If instructors are not willing to conform to one of the most prudent regulations of the college, it is to be hoped that the authorities will direct their attention to them and help them realize that it does require somewhat more work to write a paper than to make one out.