It may be said with truth that the first number of the Advocate published by the 1904 board has not been excelled during the present College year. Among the merits, two stand out particularly: An absence of the over worked problem story, with its sage attempts at analysis of the undergraduate attitude, whatever that may be; and secondly, a sufficient variety of subject matter.

In "Mr. Warren's Profession," by Walton, Atwater Green, the mild satire is skilfully managed and the whole idea is worked out with considerable humor. Quite as good in a different way is "Out of the Cucumber Vines," by E. R. Little, a tale of the war times, brightened by a number of keen little descriptive passages. "What Came out of the Peach Stone," by Alanson Roger Merrill, is a rather humorous combination of a mediaeval point of view with modern narrative style and ideas.

Few examples of serious Advocate verse have shown less straining after effect or more real beauty of simplicity than "The Sculptor of Milos," by Charles Wharton Stork. The central idea of the poem, it is true, seems on a second reading, falsely dramatic, and is not justified by the scant explanation of its motive; yet the ease of the lines and the unfailing interest in the thought go a long way toward helping the reader to overlook this defect. Another piece of verse, "March in Massachusetts," by L. W., makes one wish to drop work and get into the country.

The editorials discuss ably the familiar topic of athleticism and the recent article on football, in the Graduates' Magazine. The modern tendencies of American college athletics and the dangers arising therefrom are dealt with both in the editorial and in "A Discussion upon College Spirit, as Applied to Athletics," by George Williamson, Jr. They put the conservative side pretty accurately, and deserve careful attention.