RIBBONS.

BEAUTIFUL, balmy spring is with us once again; the buds on the trees and the boys in the Yard shed respectively their brown scales and winter clothing, and blossom forth in the freshness of the vernal season. With spring comes the dainty crocus, the dandelion, the wilted collar, and the straw hat, and with the straw hat comes the ribbon. But ribbons at Harvard College are as distinctive a mark of honor as the Cross of the Legion of Honor, and about as hard to obtain. Fired by the noble example of the Crew and the Nine, the various other organizations have held meetings and decided on their respective colors. The Echo Board, with their usual enterprise, were the first to assemble; and, amid hearty applause, it was decided that the ribbon should be of the subdued colors displayed on their shingle, - black, orange, and magenta, with the words "Harvard Echo" stamped in gilt letters on the front, - but on second thoughts it was feared that the "personal influence" of this decoration would be too great, and the idea was abandoned.

A meeting of janitors was held in U. 5, and at first an elegant band of red tape was adopted; but a letter was at that moment received from a well-known official, stating that the available supply had been expended in decorations for the Gymnasium and in tying up room agreements, so the idea was given up, and a delicate shade of pink substituted. An objection was made to this, on the ground that pink would be easily soiled by the constant handling necessary in removing the hat; but the Matthews janitor at once arose, and conclusively proved that no janitor with any self-respect could with honor remove his hat when entering a room; he also gallantly remarked that pink was very popular with the ladies. That settled it.

The Senior Nine, not to be behind, held a large and enthusiastic meeting in Holden, all the associate members being present. A dark crimson ribbon was proposed and received with applause. The Nine at this point rose to his feet, and moved that the ribbon should be debarred from the associate members, but he was at once overruled and the ribbon adopted by a unanimous vote.

The St. Paul's at first adopted white, as an emblem of purity, and it was subsequently decided to add black, in token of mourning over the depraved state of college morals. So the result is a neat thing in checkered black and white, which has the additional value that those of the society who are members of the Chess Club can amuse themselves with a quiet game on hat ribbons during the sermon.

The Freshman Class at first decided on wearing crimson waistcoats; green ribbons were also proposed by a Sophomore, who happened to be present, but they finally decided to wear no ribbon at all, on the ground that there was something about a Harvard man which rendered him easily distinguishable at all times and in all places without a special badge.

The editorial board of - oh! we forgot, - well, he had a little "fl-f-lock all alone by himself," and decided on one of the advertising suits, with placards in front and behind, a crimson ribbon on the hat, with Harvard College woven in, in white letters.*

Other meetings will be soon held, and we may expect that the Yard will rival a tulip-bed in its brilliancy of color.

C. T.

* College papers please copy, with the addition, "This low, dastardly, ill-bred attack is only a mark of the idiotic brain which invented it. Such vile, underhanded reptilian onslaughts can only have proceeded from a narrow, bigoted, Pharisaical fool." That, we think, is the usual style.