The same instructor has also adopted another feature which we believe is a part of a few other courses in college. The men are allowed to substitute theses on special subjects pertaining to the course for a part of the course, and their mark on these theses enters into the calculation of the year's mark on the course. This substitution is entirely optional, and makes it possible for a man either to base all his work on the course itself, or, if he chooses, he can do a great deal of outside work connected with the course, always spurred on by the thought that he will get credit for all he does. We do not know of any better plan for encouraging independent and thorough work, and hope to see it more generally adopted.

The present year is one of experiment in the matter of college athletics. First, our own faculty came out with its plan of reform and was partially followed by a number of other colleges. And now Amherst brings forward another plan-that of entire prohibition from inter-collegiate sports, which may be called either bolder or more timid than our own, according to the way in which one chooses to look at it. The plan adopted is more in accordance with the traditions of Amherst than it would be of any of the larger colleges, and we feel positive that it would never meet with success at Harvard. However, it may prove the best policy for Amherst, and it has probably not been adopted without due consideration on the part of the faculty. We shall watch its progress with interest. The system is introduced at nearly the same time as our own new system, and the merits of the two can be very easily compared.