PRINCETON, N. J., Oct 2, 1888.

Nearly three weeks have passed since work began at Princeton and we are now settled down to the ordinary routine of daily college life. In one or two of the branches, however, some of the students are enjoying a longer vacation than usual, owing to non-return of Professors Scott and Osborn from Europe. President Patton fulfils the highest expectations of his most ardent admirers and daily shows himself to be a man, progressive and thoughtfully alive to Princeton's interest. Dr. McCosh still retains a connection with the college by lecturing to the seniors in Metaphysics, and is engaged in revising his manuscript of Fundamental Truths. The college opens under most favorable circumstances in every way, with an increased number of students and added facilities. The new class of '77 biological laboratory was finished last June and the Art School is steadily going up and promises to be a great adornment to the campus as well as a most useful addition to our buildings. The need of a new dormitory is more strongly felt this year than ever, every room in college being occupied and a large number of men being forced to room in town. Both of the literary societies are in a flourishing condition and will probably before long erect new halls. The Philadelphian Society, the religious organization of the college, held its annual reception to the entering students recently, and added nearly an hundred new men to its roll.

The Republicans and Democrats have organized campaign clubs and nearly all the men in college belong to either one or the other. They expect soon to be equipped and drilled for marching, and, if the consent of the faculty can be obtained, will take part in the parades of the neighboring cities. Both clubs will make efforts to secure some prominent political speakers.

Our athletics are in a very prosperous condition. Of course, the all-absorbing topic at present is foot ball. From present indications we have reason to expect a very good team. Cowan, Hodge, Bovaird, Irvine, Ames, George and Channing, of last year's eleven, are back, and Cook, ex-'89, has returned to college and is playing his old position-Moray, who played half-back for Andover last year, is playing a fine game, while Akerman, Bickham, Janeway, Poe, Riggs and Ferdinand may also be mentioned as promising candidates. The management has arranged for eight practice games with Crescents, U. of Penn., Stevens, Rutgers, Lafayette and Johns Hopkins, five of them to be played at Princeton.

The class championship base-ball games were played the second week of college and resulted in a tie between the three upper classes, which will not be played off, at least, this fall.

Lacrosse is doing well, and the outlook in track athletics is bright. By his victory in Montreal, last Saturday, Dohm, '90, now holds the championship of America in the quarter-mile run; he also holds the record in Ireland. The annual fall handicap games will be held about the middle of this month and will consist of fifteen events.

PRINCETONIAN.