The fate of the petition of the students for voluntary attendance at chapel has at last been decided. The matter has been carried to the Board of Overseers, the final court of appeal, and the verdict rendered is that it is inexpedient to grant the request of the petitioners. This decision of the overseers, though not wholly unexpected, is yet a most disappointing one to those who have been prominent in getting up the petition, and by the students as a body the news of the overseers' action will be received with regret. We have done, however, all that lay in our power to bring about the much-to-be-desired change in the patriarchal system of college government which has so long prevailed at Harvard. Nothing now remains for us to do but to fold our hands and leave this reform to be wrought out by the lapse of time and the change in public opinion, or better, perhaps, by the change in the opinions of the gentlemen composing the Board of Overseers,- or, yet still better, by a radical change in the personnel of this body.

But there was one action which the overseers took of which every student will approve, and that was the appointment of Dr. Royce to an assistant professorship of Philosophy. Never was promotion more merited. Dr. Royce not only conducted most acceptably the courses in philosophy which last year fell to his lot through the absence of one of the professors of that department,- and this is no mean praise when we consider that it was Professor Palmer's place which he filled,- but also, since he has had charge of the forensice, he has done more to raise the standard of the English department than has been done since the appointments of Professors Childs and Hill. Until this year the work in senior and junior forensics has been exceedingly unprofitable and disagreeable; now, although a mere augmentative theme will not pass for a forensic, as has hitherto been the case, forensic writing in most profitable, and, if not put off until the last minute, agreeable. Dr. Royce has taken a personal interest in every student's work by setting apart certain hours when he can be consulted. It is this contact with professors which so stimulates students in their work. Is not this the reason why such men as Professors Cooke, Palmer, Shaler, and White, and others whom we could mention, are so eminently successful as instructors?