THERE is a custom prevalent at Memorial Hall against which we wish to protest for the sake of the reputation of Harvard men as gentlemen. We refer to the deplorable practice of hissing and stamping whenever a man appears in the gallery with his hat on his head. Whether ladies are present or not the same things happen. If after Vesper services, for instance, a man in a crowd walks into the gallery with his head covered, the disgraceful uproar at once begins. The visitors do not realize the meaning of it; too often they think it is a personal insult and are forced in common decency to retire, doubtless with very uncomplimentary opinions of Harvard courtesy.

This custom has gone altogether too far, and should be stopped immediately. The extent to which it has been carried this year is unpardonable. We offer no excuses for the men who are so ill-mannered as to cause such disturbances, yet it is a question if their negligence is any more to be condemned than the action of the students themselves. College men, whether freshmen or not, are supposed to be sufficiently well bred to act like gentlemen on all occasions. No matter what the provocation may be, the presence of +++ndies at least ought to be a check to such proceedings as these referred to. We would particularly emphasize the fact that this hissing and stamping are perfectly meaningless to the average visitor. Moreover, they seldom accomplish their purpose. The stranger either stands it until it becomes unendurable and then withdraws, or until notified by a director or waiter that he is expected to remove his hat.

However, the point in question is not the success of the present method; it is rather one of self respect. If the men will not of themselves institute a reform, college sentiment should demand that the Board of Directors take the matter in hand and, if necessary, adopt strong measures to remedy the evil.