FOOT BALL.

Perhaps never before has a foot-ball season opened more auspiciously for Harvard than has the present one The enthusiasm and evident desire to work shown by the numerous candidates has been all that can be desired. Capt. Appleton returned to college at the end of last week and immediately began the preparations for the fall's sport. On Monday the half-backs began practicing, and have been putting in very good work twice a day since that time. The partial success of the eleven last fall has created a livelier interest than ever throughout the college at large, which promises excellent support to the team this season. If the number of candidates presenting themselves is to steadily increase during the next few days, as there is every reason to expect it will, no one need doubt for a moment that there will be sufficient material. The principal games this fall will unfortunately be played away from home, and although we are to be relieved from the inconvenience of meeting Yale at New Haven, still it is very probable that the Princeton game will take place in New Jersey. Princeton has not by any means recovered from her set back at Cambridge last year, and if all accounts are true it may be depended on that we will find in her our most formidable rival.

The game with Yale will take place Thanksgiving Day at the Polo grounds in New York, Harvard having won the privilege of playing there by her victories of last fall. Harvard will naturally be afforded much greater support there than she could expect were the game to take place at New Haven. In this state of affairs it is an imperative necessity that the college should give as much support as possible to the team in its daily practice and that they should respond readily to the call for subscriptions. The victory of the crew last June has inspired every foot-ball man with a most earnest desire to repeat the success on the field this fall, and this purpose is very evident from every action of the candidates who have thus far put in an appearance.

Captain Appleton has laid aside everything in favor of the work on the field this fall, and failure cannot come from any lack of enthusiasm or steady work on his part. Mr. Cabot, the captain of last year's team, has been on the field several days practicing hard in half back play. Austin has shown up very finely in the preliminary practice and promises to make a very valuable man for the back or half back. Henry, who will be remembered as one of the half backs of the '82 team, has returned to college and began his work on the field yesterday. Mason has also been practicing steadily since the beginning of the week. He is considerably bothered by lameness in the right wrist, caused by a serious dislocation. Kendall and Adams have also began to work with the team. Crane and Gilman who were substitutes in last year's team are both working hard. Besides these few mentioned there has been a comparatively large number of new men present daily, many of whom promise to be valuable before the season closes.

The rushers have not been called out as yet, but if signs are true there promises to be abundance of material. The number of candidates should not deter any one from trying, however, for in a month's practice the choice of players will be very difficult, and often certain points in a new player will turn the decision in his favor. Beyond the number of candidates it is hoped and expected that a large number will show their interest in the eleven and its work by appearing on the field daily to encourage the players. Do not let any of the team have occasion to complain of any lack of support in their hard struggle of the next two months.

The changes in the rules made at the recent foot-ball convention promise a much fairer result than under the old rules. Two warnings-instead of three now disqualify a player, and while accidental violation will not seriously affect a player, nevertheless a more effective embargo has been put on the foul play we have so often witnessed. The new system of scoring should be remembered by all ; a goal from a touchdown counting six points, a goal from the field five, a touchdown two and a safety touchdown made by the opponent one. If other points are tied it will require two safeties to decide. Altogether there is every reason to expect a very successful season.