The Advocate.

The current number of the Advocate, which appears today is a very interesting issue, but it falls a little short of the standard of literary excellence which we are accustomed to demand of the Advocate. The editorial department is characterized by more vigor than usual. The first and the last editorials are full of the spirit of hopefulness. This is about the only attitude which we can at present take towards our athletics, but it is a healthy and inspiriting attitude, and therefore to be commended. The criticism of the methods of coaching, while a trifle severe is timely; unquestionably there is always the danger that legitimate coaching will, in the excitement of a game, degenerate into vulgar and objectionable tactics which should never be tolerated in a gentleman's game. There is a sensible editorial commending some of the recent amendments to the regulations, and a contribution to the discussion as to whether the final examinations should cover the work of the entire year which goes to the root of the matter.

The story, "In the Redwoods" is a very effective piece of work. The idea is new, and is worked out in a decidedly clever way. The style is good, except at the end where it is a trifle drawn out.

Under "Topics of the Day," there is an interesting article on "The Freshman Advisers." The bitter opening caricature of the freshmen is rather uncalled for when it is considered that the greater part of the condemnation of this plan of advisers for the freshmen has come from upperclassmen; and if we mistake not, the Advocate has contributed its quota of editorial sarcasm to the "guardian angels" of the freshmen. Aside from this the article is one of the most sensible which has appeared in the Advocate for some time. No one who has seriously considered the matter can doubt that the system of advisers for the freshmen will result in much good.

"A Winter's Tale" treats in blank verse an incident which has been previously handled in almost every other conceivable way by the various publications. The caricatures are too broad to be effective.

"An Island Legend" is an interesting sketch. The description is excellent, and the style effective.

There are two pieces of verse in the number, but neither is especially noteworthy. The issue is concluded with the usual book reviews and the Advocate's Brief.