In urging the undergraduates to prepare for an emergency which might call for their services, Professor Hollis, in his letter of Thursday, expressed the opinion that the quickest way for students to be useful is to learn to handle and care for their arms.

Through the generosity of loyal graduates, there are now arms enough to permit regimental drill as soon as the members of the daily squads become in some degree perfected in the manual of arms and the rudimentary tactics. How soon this will be rests manifestly with the individuals themselves. If all who are now drilling make it a point to attend at least one hour a day and make the most of that hour, it will not be long before they are able to go through the manual of arms and the simple tactics with some degree of precision, and moreover acquire the habit of listening to orders and obeying them. At present there is neither the regularity in attendance that could be wished, nor enough discipline to satisfy the squad leaders. Another drawback is, that new men constantly joining the squads are a retarding influence.

Discipline will come in due course, but every man who thinks it worth while to drill at all and prepare for a time when the country may need his services, should come out regularly, and we would urge all those who are considering the possibility of joining the squads, to do so at once. The sooner each individual makes an actual business of his daily drill, the sooner can permanent companies be formed, and a Harvard battalion organized on a true army basis.