It is a pleasure to be able for once to say that a number of the Advocate is up to its proper standard; the last few issues have made it seem as if perhaps the standard of the Advocate had permanently fallen, but with the issue of today comes a promise of better things, - a promise which it is to be hoped will not prove to be delusive. It would be indeed a pity if the "old mother" should grow feeble before she fairly reaches her prime, and should forget that she had once been quite a good-looking girl.

The editorials are varied in their subject-matter and, with the exception of a roundabout and redundant column on the question of the "Annex." are decidedly to the point. Whether so much wit and humor is an advantage in the discussion of serious college questions seems doubtful, it is, at any rate, a little incongruous when introduced into a note of gratitude to the faculty itself.

It is too bad that so well-written and vivid a story as "A Fool's Fancy", by H. B. Eddy, should have such a weak and careless ending. The expedient of putting the outcome of the plot into words adapted to a child's understanding was a happy and effective one, but to end the whole thing in such words was to carry the story to an anti-climax.

"The Melons," by C. M. Flandrau, is a clever character-sketch, full of local color, but with a deceptive title, for not fruit but the family and house of a western politician are the subject of the story.

"The Corpse's Grasp", is not sufficiently original or well written to deserve a place in the number.

"Lying as a Fine Art", by Louis How, is a mock essay that just does not have the necessary finish of style that would make it brilliant.

Of the "Two Sketches" the second is far the best, but neither is noteworthy; the second, however, has at least enough to it to be interesting reading - in short, what good it has, comes by virtue of its failing to be truly a sketch.

"A Sea Tale," is far above its author's usual work, and is distinctly forcible and exciting.

The poetry consists of a sonnet and a rondeau. The sonnet is good poetry but not a good sonnet, while the rondeau is not only good in form, but is decidedly above the average in style and thought.

The "Kodaks" make one thankful that they are not worse.