Sunday has benerally been a dull day for the Vagabond. In the days of childhood, the seventh day was associated with interminable and dreary calls on friends of the family, where an incredibly hard and stiff-backed chair was usually provided for him, from which perch he was left to contemplate the family portraits while his elders discussed matters beyond his ken. Now that such ordeals are done, the Sabbath passes in a flaccid mood that contenplates and condemns all things, particularly those of an academic tinge. There is scant pleasure in a contemplation of Monday's lecture schedule, and the day closes with a sense of futility and a dread of the professorial wrath to come.

But Monday, known to so many human beings as wash day, and to so many more as just another week, brings compensations. And today, in particular, should be heralded with clash of cymbal and blare of trumpet. Today opens the Pops.

Along with the Sacred Cod and the Old North Church, the Pops are a Boston institution. When the grass on the Common is turning green, and the soda fountains do a good business in chocolate floats, the good Bostonian looks for the Pops. It is pleasant to sit at one's ease and imbibe various liquids through straws, and be entertained by a program of music.

A new conductor, Alfredo Casella, who holds high distinction among the composers and conductors of Europe, will lead the programs this year. Several of his works, including the Suite from his Ballet "La Geara" and "The Convent on the Water," have been heard at the regular Symphony Concents, and will undoubtedly be found on Pops programs during the spring.

Such composers as Schubert, Wagner, Rossini and Verdi appear on tonight's program, which opens with the Prelude to "Carmen" and concludes with the "Caprice on Spanish Themes" by Rimsky-Korsakov. Two of Schubert's marches, arranged for an orchestra by Mr. Casella, will be played for the first time in America. The conductor's own Italian Rhapsody also appears in the list of numbers.

The schedule for the Pops Concerts calls for performances each weekday night, and on alternate Sunday nights. Special nights and special programs have been provided for the delectation of those who venture the trolley to Huntington Avenue.