Lack of vitality in the stories makes the present number of the Advocate rather less interesting than the last few issues. Several of the sketches are so short that the excuse for their existence should be more than ordinary merit; and in most cases this excuse is wanting. "Salem Skinner's Unlucky Day," "A Latter Day Vendetta," and "Miss Sophy's Doughnuts" are all too vague and colorless to invite much interest or remain long in the memory. "The Sensation of Rickerts" is amusing and well handled, though a bit overdrawn here and there; and "His Dress Suit" is a happy-go-lucky, naturally told incident. As the mistaken identity idea is too threadbare to attract attention, "A Hazardous Expedition" amounts to little except as it contains casual references of interest to college men. The side of undergraduate life which is hinted at does not lend itself easily to the average undergraduate pen.

Perhaps the best feature of the number is the verse, "Attila the Hun," which is admirable, with its rapid, abrupt wording. It is full of vitality, and is a relief after the usual descriptive efforts of College poetry. "The Palms of Memphis," by the same author, conveys its impression more quietly, but is nearly as vivid in its way.