The sixth number of the Advocate which appeared yesterday is marked by two able editorials and several literary pieces of merit. The editorial on the Christmas tour of the Glee and Banjo Clubs states fairly the good results that may be expected from the trip in the way of altering somewhat the current opinion of Harvard life throughout the west. The second editorial, on the subject of forensics and themes, deserves a careful reading. The same idea must have occurred to every senior and junior taking elective courses in which theses are required. To be sure, the man who has three or four theses, as the Advocate assumes, is not the average man, so the evil of the present system is not so great as it pictures. Nevertheless the pressure is heavy and its lightening would undoubtedly improve the character of the work done.

Mr. Warren's "Vanitas" is an interesting and well-written, though not a very flattering story of modern summer life. Mr. Corbin contributes a poem-"The Song of the Sea Shell-a mournful but pretty little song. "A Virgin Priestess," by Mr. Batchelder, is an original but rather startling Druid sketch. "A Parable" is very brightly written. We hope the Blue Hound and the Small Young Ass will appreciate its humor as well as its sarcasm. The last prose article is "Jerry's Consolation," by Mr. Wardner, a sequel to "A Nineteenth Century Romance." It is written in the same humorous vein, and is the best thing in the number. The verses, "What the Tower Says," contains a good idea, but may more properly be called rhyme than poetry. Mr. Dennison's "Alackaday" is good, though the sentiment is not strikingly original. The usual book notices and Brief fill out the number.