YALE LETTER.

The year has already seen a remarkable change in the manner in which the Yale Union is regarded and it cannot but be looked upon as a most encouraging sign. For many years the man who tried to get good from the Union, or to improve it, or to awaken an interest in debating, was considered to waste his energies, but something has produced at least the beginnings of a change for the better. The Union began its good work when it secured new and more commodious quarters, and to a large degree, this was the cause of the growth in popularity it has experienced. At the last meeting the question of compulsory chapel was debated, and its abolition at Yale was favored. Membership in the Union is largely sought for, and it has been extended to the two upper classes in Sheff. Preparations for the debate with Princeton are now being made, and the preliminary selection debates will begin Nov. 11.

The fact that graduate coaches have not given the eleven their attention this year so much as formerly, has been commented on, and rather unnecessarily, as McCormick, Corbin, Hinkey and Hartwell with several others, have given assistance so far. The last two are still with the eleven and the improvement lately noticeable, is no doubt largely due to them. In the Dartmouth game, the play was strong and snappy, and a few new plays were tried with evident success. The Yale B. A. A. game was a decided surprise at least to the Yale side, and was almost equivalent to a victory for B. A. A., although the ball was very near their goal during the last ten minutes. The game showed the strength the athletic clubs can muster, and the U. of P. game with the Chicago Athletic Club, added proof to this. The Harvard Princeton game was largely attended by Yale men, and naturally, the Yale game at West Point was well attended, all things considered.

Weather obliged a temporary postponement of the fall games at the Field, the entries for which are very numerous. The project of practically completing the Field, by adding suitable approaches, is being considered, and has received an indirect encouragement by the recent removal by fire, of an adjacent soap factory, a great source of discomfort. The Athletic Association will probably hold several more paper-chases before the close of the season. The New Haven Golf Club has met with great success and college men form a large proportion of its membership nearly one hundred being enrolled. The centenary of Keats was fittingly observed by a meeting addressed by Dr. W. L, Phelps who will also have charge of the observances of Carlyle's centenary on December 4. The Phi Beta Kappa society has secured Paul du Chaillu for its first lecture, who will speak November 25 on "The Vikings." The topics for the Ten Eyck, De Forest and other prize essays have been announced.

YALE NEWS.