A 51-year-old tradition, reading period, has begun again, complete with the threats of general examinations, senior honors hourlies, and final exams.

"I may just be sort of quietly going mad," Daniel W. Smith '82, who is taking six courses this semester, said yesterday.

"I have nine papers to write before school's out," Kelly Roney '80, who attempted to continue writing a paper while speaking, said yesterday. "It looks pretty bad. I've got a total of about 60 pages left to write," Roney said, adding, "I wish reading period was a lot longer."

Seniors concentrating in History will take their general examinations today. Robin B. Balthrope '79, a History concentrator, said yesterday, "I'll be glad when this is all over. Everywhere I went this last week, I've had a book in hand." Balthrope said she has studied about eight hours each day during the last week in preparation for the History general examination.

Cornelia H. Dayton '79 said yesterday Eliot House tutors have given review sessions for history concentrators. "There has been a sort of commiseration in studying for the History generals at Eliot," she said.

Honors concentrators in Government will begin writing a three-day take-home general examination tomorrow. "I'm feeling pretty burned out from my thesis. I just hope I'll be up to the Government generals," Laura A. Taylor '79 said yesterday.

Juniors concentrating in Social Studies will begin their three-day take-home general examination today,

Into Hilles Bind them

Attendance at Hilles Library has increased. Richard J. Lamacchia, security guard at Hilles Library, said yesterday. "Students are coming in to study at twice the rate of last Sunday night," Lamacchia said. "Most of them look pretty intent. They're not wasting time talking like they might earlier in the semester," he added.