The fourth number of the Advocate appeared on the 22d of November. On the whole the number is good; the editorials are clear and to the point, the stories are fairly interesting and the poetry is good.

A number of editorials are devoted to the result of the mass-meeting of the 20th of last month. Considering the rotten condition of college athletics the action of Harvard in withdrawing from the Intercollegiate Foot Ball association was not untimely, and if her motives are pure, she deserves great praise. The Advocate fears, however, that the students were influenced just as much by pique at a college which has just defeated Harvard as by any desire for purity in athletics. In regard to the withdrawal from the league, Harvard's position is "frank and honorable." The resolution to withdraw is a firm "declaration on Harvard's part that she has become dissatisfied with the state of intercollegiate athletics" Harvard does not profess to be much better than her neighbors; she confesses her sins, and, as some one must make a stand, she does it. The second resolution, however, undoes everything the first one accomplishes. The first resolution is a step towards purity in college athletics, the second looks as though Harvard had eagerly seized an opportunity of forming a dual league with Yale; it seems as though purity in athletics is not the only desired end. Again, the Advocate thinks that Harvard should have withdrawn from all the leagues, and not from the football league only. If Harvard had withdrawn from all leagues her position would not be equivocal, and her action would have been more consistent. Professionalism should not be given a chance to appear in base ball and other sports, and had Harvard demanded purity in all branches of athletics her action would have more weight.

The last two editorials touch the Springfield game and the freshman game. Harvard, although not victorious at Springfield, has had an excellent eleven; the men have all worked hard and faithfully, and deserve the gratitude of the college. The freshman elevens have of late years defeated Yale, and this fact must influence 'varsity teams very soon.

"Elise" is concluded in this number. The story is not up to the usual standard of the Advocate; it is weak and perhaps a trifle too sentimental.

Under the head of "Topics of the Day," the new gate is discussed. According to the writer, "the new gate is the embodiment of the idea that Harvard is not in every way public property." The imitation in architecture is, however, no cause for pride and not worthy architecture. "How I happened to come to Harvard" tells how a man out west suddenly made up his mind to go to Harvard.

"Jim Watson of Dean's" a tale of a Jersey town, and "Literary Sham" an excellent article on the semi literary and non-literary elements at college close the number.