The May number of the Monthly begins with a suggestive article, by Dr. Francis G. Peabody, on "College Morals." Its tone is optimistic and its aim to show the true state of moral life at Harvard and the outgrown conditions which have made it pessimistically regarded in the past. "The Religion of a College Student," by Karl Young, deals with the religion of undergraduates in general, and not, like Dr. Peabody's article, with Harvard men in particular. The argument set forth is interesting, and unique to such an extent that many will doubtless disagree with its verdict--that the church should "candidly confess its ignorance and independence of scientific demonstration," and become symbolistic rather than rationalistic, artistic rather than scientific."

The pleasantest reading in the number is found in a very brief essay "On Listening," by H. S. Pollard. It is avowedly "an echo from 'The Tatler'," and its quaint common sense and clear powerful style might pass for work of some first rank English linguist of Addison's or Jonson's time. "The Judgment of Ybarra," by L. M. Crosbie, is an unusually vivid and interest-compelling story of the west. In its theme it has a little echo of Kipling's, "The Man Who Would be King," and in treatment something of its vigor. "Timothy Knox, Peddler," a story by G. B. Fernald, is not good, for it lacks all plot and the humor in its sketchy description is too palpably artificial. "An Aspect of the Three Years' Course," by J. A. Field and "The Three Years' Course at Harvard," by B. Wendell, Jr., present the undergraduate's reasons in favor of the old four years' work. "Birthdays," a none too successful essay by V. Van M. Beede, "The Disintegration of Harvard College," by H. M. A., and "The Preaching Scot," by Dr. Neilson, complete the Monthly's prose contributions. The later article, shifting in what seems a rather surprising way from its beginning, arrives after a while at an interesting review of the desire to moralise and preach which runs through all the literature of Scotland.

Of the four poems in the number,--a "Battle Hymn," by C. W. Stone, "The Vedanta Philosophy," by P. A. Hutchison, "Song," by T. W. Beach, and "The Red Carnation," by R. M. Green, none is very good.

The editorials carry forward themes suggested by several of the preceding articles in connection with morals at Harvard and with the wisdom and unwisdom of the three years' course.