The Monthly for April will probably appear to-day, but may be delayed. The advance sheets give promise of an exceedingly good number. Two of the articles in the number are of peculiar interest to college readers. "What do we Know About John Harvard?" by Dr. Hart, cannot fail to receive the careful attention which it deserves from all Harvard men. The object of the article which is "to select and group together everything that is positively established as to John Harvard," makes it perhaps the most distinctly valuable contribution that has yet appeared in the Monthly. It is certainly this to Harvard readers. The other of the two articles, "Unimaginary Conversation," has special reference to literary work in American colleges, and is a skilful piece of satire and common sense. There is much truth in the gloomy remarks about college poetry. As an imitation of Landor, this paper is by no means unsuccessful. The reader has some curiosity to know who "Margites Chitterly" is.

"Henry James as a Novelist," by Mr. S.D. Richardson, is interesting, and shows much appreciation and real insight. Still it is not wholly satisfactory, failing to give any decided impression. Mr. C. T. Semper's study of George Eliot's "Silas Marner" is of a different tone from anything the Monthly has ever published, and because of the very variety is offers is good reading. The study is even philosophical, without the heaviness that so often goes with philosophy; and deep, without the oppressiveness of depth.

The poetry makes up for the deficiency in quantity by excellence in quality. Mr. Houghton's "Ballad of April Days," reprinted from Mr. Adam's "April," is not equal in execution to former work of the author, but in subject is particularly pleasant, and in conception is really charming. But the sonnet by Mr. Santayana, which treats of faith, must be regarded as one of the most attractive, perhaps the most attractive feature of the April Monthly. It is something that calls for more than one reading, that does not leave the mind almost as soon as it has entered it, like so much college poetry.

Editorials are omitted. Perhaps the Monthly thought its space could be devoted more profitably to something else. Still it is not probable that the omission is permanent, nor after all is it desirable that it shall be. The Book Notices are of greater value than usual. Mr. Wheeler, of the German Department, reviews Sherer's "History of German Literature," Mrs. F. C. Conybeare's translation. The other reviews are of Richard Grant White's "Studies in Shakespeare." Helen Jackson's "Zeph," and Warner's "Back Log Studies," by Messrs. Fullerton, Carpenter, and Leahy respectively.