Mr. Howard A. Taylor, '85, has written a letter to the Boston Herald giving from a graduate's standpoint the reason for Harvard's decline in athletics, and suggesting remedies. We quote the most striking passages:

"To the Editor of the Herald. The dispiriting performances of the Harvard University teams on land and water throughout the last collegiate year makes the present an especial time for an appeal on the part of all interested in her welfare to the authorities of the college for a radical change in athletic policy. The outlook seems particularly hopeless from a general belief that recent failures are not due to a temporary lack of material, but a wrong method on the part of the students in bringing together and selecting the material, and in putting it into proper shape. The students are rightly excusing themselves in the restrictions put upon them by the faculty's regulations; causing, as they believe, an entirely wrong tone in athletic affairs. It is time to redouble the protests that have come in rapid succession ever since the day in 1882 when the faculty began to interfere with the students in the conduct of their sports, and to demand twice as strenuously as before a return to former days.

"The following double list shows the number of young men who, presumably with an intent actually to enter college have passed in the last seven years proper examinations at Harvard for the academic department or Lawrece scientific school, at Yale for the academic department or Sheffield scientific school. This will afford the best comparison of the number of young men who have of late decided practically between the two colleges, resting presumably on the judgment of their parents or themselves:

YEAR. HARVARD. YALE.

1882 289 244

1883 304 251

1884 297 222

1885 299 226

1886 298 267

1887 313 314

1888 325 365

[Those who actually came in the year 1882 formed the academic classes of '86, at both colleges, and the scientific classes of '86 at Harvard, and '85 at Yale; Those coming in '83 formed classes of '87, etc.]

"Here is a showing especially annoying in the absence of great dispute that Harvard affords the widest and most thorough opportunities for students in America. Fair minded people, I think, do not hesitate to accept the idea that Harvard has more educational advantages than Yale to offer, although they may question whether the student is as much pressed into accepting them. Her faculty, system of instruction, library, and tone of surrounding give her an unequalled and always increasing educational value, and no person would pass her by as insufficient in an academic aspect. That her numbers do not increase as her value should compel, is due to other cause.

"I have never heard other than two facts assigned as reasons for a boy to avoid Harvard-one by parents and the other by sons. Of the two, the dread of the supposed luxuries of Harvard life and the expenses incidental is a stronger factor against the college than the aversion of the young men themselves to a place where (by reputation) athletic contests are frowned upon and (by fact) athletic contestants are of inferior calibre. The parental prejudice is widespread, while the boys get their ideas only if they have attended the large boarding schools. Yet it is almost as plain that the failure of athletic interests has caused the parents to coincide with the sons' resolution to avoid Harvard as that such a fact has caused the sons so to decide. Whatever of luxury and extravagance exists at Harvard is closely connected with her fall in athletic spirit. Ten years ago, before the college was so continuously beaten, the honor of a position on the University team was sought after by every man of a class, college popularity being greatly dependent on the prowess of the bat and oar. So long as the positions were desirable, it was natural for them to be filled by men whose families had wealth and social standing; for such men came to college with bodies better reared and trained for skilful athletic work. Continued defeat has caused positions on university teams in the last five years, literally speaking, to go begging. In the class of '87, there were men fitted by health and strength to lead the crew to victory, but who refused to sit in the boat and so refused with impunity. Neither the anticipation of success nor a feeling of honor on the subject had sufficient power to bring them back to hard training. And these were the kind of men who, lacking the incentive of a frugal life, had the means to indulge thoroughly in the opposite, and through whom the repute of extravagance has fastened itself on our college. From a place at the front themselves, they have grown to be satisfied with a cheer for their successors, and some money proceed on the game.

"The Faculty have full control and their regulations amount to as follows: