After listening to some doubts which have been expressed as to the ability of an American crew to master the principles of the English stroke in a single year, it is reassuring to hear from the coach himself such a good account of the progress of the University eight. In the opinion of those who are in a position to know, the crew is now improving rapidly and consistently, and if this same improvement is kept up and no accidents occur, we may look forward to making at least a creditable showing next June.

It is, however, an old failing of Harvard men and the teams representing them to be too sure of success in the important contests and for this very reason to fail to do all that they are capable of. It is to be hoped that this will remain an old failing and that the University will not be guilty of it again. Self-reliance is a good quality until it leads to carelessness. If the ability of the crew to learn is only as great as that of Mr. Lehmann to teach and if the rest of us are not afflicted with that absolute, serene confidence which has sometimes existed, a long step will have been taken in the right direction.