BOYLSTON PRIZES.

A SMALL audience assembled yesterday afternoon in Appleton Chapel to listen to the competing candidates for the Boylston prizes. The declamations were far superior to those of last year. Out of the thirty competitors, five were awarded prizes. The two first prizes were assigned to E. R. Fenollosa, '74, and T. F. Taylor, '75. F. Dumaresque, A. B. Ellis, and W. H. Holman, all of '75, obtained second prizes. The selection of Mr. Fenollosa afforded excellent opportunities for a display of forcible oratory, which were fully improved. As a dramatic recitation, the rendering of a selection from Shakespeare's King Lear by Mr. Taylor was something wholly unusual in its excellence. Mr. Dumaresque, in his selection from Bulwer's Richelieu, was distinguished in a similar manner. Mr. Ellis delivered, with appreciative feeling, a portion of Webster's speech on the murder of White, while Mr. Holman was very successful in meeting the varied requirements of Browning's Herve Riel.

Several more prizes could have been justly awarded to others, almost, if not quite as deserving as the successful candidates. Among these may be mentioned N. Taylor, H. B. Richardson, and F. C. S. Bartlett, all of whom gave finished performances. The speaking as a whole was highly creditable; much more so than would seem possible in view of the total lack of facilities for improvement afforded by the College. It is almost farcical that prizes should be given by the College for excellences which are wholly dependent on previous or outside instruction, or on natural ability. In fact, the most noticeable faults of the general speaking were such as the most elementary teaching in the art of oratory would correct.