A recent editorial in the Boston Journal on "Elocution in Colleges," calls attention to the oft-repeated fact that many college graduates of acknowledged intellectual ability are unable to express themselves with ease and fluency when suddenly invited to make a few remarks, and "feel obliged to make many excuses upon their surprise at being called upon and lack of preparation." The criticism is just; and the fault is less excusable when we consider that the ability to speak extemporaneously is not hard to acquire. Practice is the magic that enables most men to arrange and express their thoughts when the necessity for so doing unexpectedly arises. For furnishing this practice, the editorial in question recommends "a class in extempore speaking, already introduced in one or two colleges, but worthy of wider appreciation." Such a course could not be otherwise than useful and popular at Harvard. Not only would valuable experience be obtained, but also under a sensible and prudent instructor, many faults in voice, manner, and language would be corrected. Thus the student could obtain in college, under favorable conditions, the practice and training which many graduates are obliged to obtain on public occasions, - often to the annoyance of their hearers and their own mortification.