Although the manifesto of the Athletic Committee has cast a gloom over our intercollegiate boating prospects, the interest taken in the preparation of the Class Races in May seems to be as great as ever. The rowing room at the gymnasium is constantly occupied from four until half-past five o'clock in the afternoon by the several eights, or rather tens (for there are ten rowing machines,) of the junior, sophomore and freshman crews. There are at present in training for these crews, fifty-three men, all of whom have not rowed before. After Christmas probably thirty men will be added to the number trying for the class crews; so that, adding in the twelve candidates for the University crew, it may be said that ninety-five men will do more or less rowing at Harvard this year. It is true that at least half of the fifty-three who are now rowing will make room for others after Christmas; nevertheless, it is truly gratifying that so large a number of men can take part in this exercise even for a short time.

The names and weights of the candidates for the Junior crew are as follows: W. Dewey, 164 1bs. C. Burnett, 150; M. w. Richardson, 166; S. D. Richardson, 143, Rankin, 162; Churchill, 138; Tyler, 175; Huddeston, 173; Harrison. 162; F. Fiske, 152; Boyden, 162; N. Codman, 155; Hoyt, -; Hurd, 155; E. Richards, 160; H. Fessenden, 147. The positions of the men have not yet been assigned. Dewey, however, is at present the stroke. The men began rowing this week and are coached by Capt. Latham.

The names of the sophomores are as follows (the weights were not forthcoming: 1st ten, F. Remington, Hardy, Carmait, Scott, Tilton, F. S. Coolidge, Bartol, Higginson, Zinkeisen, Heron; 2nd ten, Storrow, Wetherbee. Dudley, Morrison, Adams, S. W. White, Jones, Coxe, Hervey and Sterne. The first ten is coached by Capt. Mumford, and the second ten by Fiske, '87. The sophomores have been rowing three weeks.

The candidates for the freshmen crew are now rowing as follows: First eight, bow, Goodhue, 145 lbs.; 2, Holden, 150; 3, Bradley, 162: 4, Griffin, 163; 5, Adams, 150; 6, Hale, 153; 7. Abbott, 156; stroke, Baldwin, 148. Second eight, bow, Beales, -; Bolster, 155; 3, Carnenter, 153; 4, Robie, 155; 5, Butler, 151; 6, Henry, 166; T. Barnes, 150; stroke, Fuller, 125.

A week before Thanksgiving the essential requirements of an oarsman, such as a straight back. continuous motion, and "time" seemed entirely incomprehensible to the candidates for the freshman crew. The first eight, however, has began to show improvement, and is now rowing as well as freshmen crews usually do at this time. The second eight needs a great deal of individual coaching. No two of them keep time together. It should be remembered that another eight begins rowing next week. These men have been playing foot ball, and will on the average be stronger and heavier than the present candidates.