The first number of the Monthly for 1886 is now ready. It shows the intention of the present board of editors to depart somewhat from the model of the founders. Two new departments are introduced, corresponding, in some respects, to the Advocate's "Topics of the Day," and "Brief," and yet essentially different. They may be best described in the words of the editors. "The Monthly will after this publish in each number, a resume of the previous month; not a record of the ordinary course, but what changes the ordinary course of college life;" and it will also "open its columns to matter such as the Century would publish under "Open Letters," or the Nation under 'Correspondence.' There is room for doubt, however, whether there will be material for "The Month" on its present basis in each issue. The editors also describe the Monthly and its aims, claiming for it the position of a medium for students, graduates, and faculty. It will continue to regard as its primary object, the publication of "the best literary work done here at Harvard."

The graduate contribution by Mr. Edward Fuller discusses the proposed shortening of the term. The author opposes it because he fears that it will lower the Harvard standard; and because he thinks that professional men can well afford to spend their additional year in maturing their judgment. "His reason is sentimental-even illogical" in places. and he hardly makes as strong a case as might be expected. He returns at the end to "sentiment considerations to find the strongest ground of opposition to the proposed change;" for" it is primarily and essentially a concession to the vulgarizing spirit of the age."

Mr. N. Hapgood takes issue with Coquelin in "Diderot's Paradox of Acting." He shows fallacies in Diderot's arguments, and turns to Archer's "Masks and Faces" for support in his conclusion that "you can not get the very highest acting unless you supplement a thorough mechanical training by all the advantages of inspiration."

Mr. W. N. Lanford, in his paper "Of Interest to Idlers" suggests in a light vein that many men in college instead of trifling unsuccessfully with Boston society or athletics, 'might gracefully be idle if they would only renounce custom, and do what really pleased themselves."

"Disjecta Membera," by Mr. R. W. Herrick, gives a realistic idea of a remote Mexican village. The character of Edward Porter is well drawn.

"The Keynote of Keat's Poetry" delivered last commencement by Mr. R. E. N. Dodge, needs no comment.

Of the contributions in verse the best Mr. H. Bates "Praetenta." "Cleopatar" by Mr. H. McCullough Jr., is more pretentious, but not so effective. Mr. BoCarman's "Canoe Song" is not very clear.