Although there have been no lack of entries in recent years for the Boylston Prize elocution competitions, the small attendance of college men at the final contests, seems to show that anything like general interest in them has subsided.

It is unfortunate that this is the case, since for many years after the foundation of the prize fund in 1817 by Ward Nicholas Boylston, these competitions were among the more important events in each college year. The ushers were always appointed from the Junior, by the First Marshal of the Senior Class, and served also as Junior ushers on Class Day. In fact there was not only general interest shown, but every effort was made to keep that interest alive; and, although it is not now realized by the undergraduates, many of the older inhabitants of Cambridge and Boston still watch for the notices of Boylston Prize Contests.

We hope that tonight undergraduate appreciation will show symptoms of revival and give grounds for hope that future years will see a return to old conditions.