The stories in the second number of the Advocate are interesting and well written; there is very little verse, and it is not especially good. "The Major's Hallowe'en," by F. M. Class, is an effective story, giving, in spite of inaccuracies in dialect and description, a sympathetic character sketch of the "old school" southern gentleman. "One of the Crowd," by Richard Inglis, is another character sketch: it seems a little improbable and is not vivid. "Tramping with a Botanist;" describes and mildly caricatures, with a good deal of humor, the adventures and character of an exploring botanist. "The March Inland," by Albert de Roode, written in the form of extracts from a diary, vividly describes the scenes in the American lines about Santiago; one gets a real glimpse of the experience the army went through in Cuba. "McGullop's Slide," a character sketch with rather a skilful climax, and "Mrs. Johnson's Triumph," by G. B. Fernald, are the other stories in the issue. The editorial, on "College Spirit," treats with effectiveness a very old subject which is, nevertheless, still worth writing about.

"Near and Far" and "A Carolina Churchyard," by C. G. L., Jr., and "Back in a Country Lane," by Ralph Richardson, are fairly good verses, and only fairly good. The number concludes with three well-written book reviews.