Current Illustrated Up-to-Date

With the current number the Illustrated begins its career as a fortnightly magazine. Having taken residence on the avenue among the barbers and tailors, the editors evidently intend to bring their magazine as close to the college as the editorial rooms are. The window display of pictures is a promising indication of the board's resolve to make the paper a sort of mirror of Harvard activities. This spirit is evident in the new number, although nothing is said about it; indeed, the only reference to the change in policy is an announcement that the next issue will appear on May 15. But the editorials and contributed articles alike reflect the "up-to-dateness" which the editors seem to be striving after. They also indicate that the Illustrated is to be more than ever a strictly Harvard publication; three "other colleges" are mentioned in just twenty-one lines, ably concealed among the advertising pages. The pictures share the spirit of the rest of the issue. All of them are of special interest to Harvard men; most of them are up to date. No Columbia hammer thrower or Princeton Slaughter of the Innocents intrudes to mar the general Crimson hue.

Perhaps the magazine as a whole, with its new purposes and policies, is more satisfactory than any one thing in it. The editorials are either rather stupid or extremely clever. It is unfortunate that the unusual ability expended upon "Room-mates" and "Our Friends the Squirrels" could not have brightened up the criticism of the College Library and the rather perfunctory remarks about the navigation of the Charles. The damning indictment of the parsimonious Freshman Class will, however, receive the unqualified approval of the Seniors.

Of the contributed articles, that upon the Harvard Flying Corps by Mr. Frazier Curtis '98 is perhaps the most important. It presents clearly the need of the United States Army for trained aviators, and emphasizes the probability that Harvard men will have to furnish a competent air fleet, if the country is to have one at all. "Harvard and the American Wars," by Mr. Batchelder, gives us some interesting statistics and an amusing anecdote. The subject is worthy of a more comprehensive piece of work. Mr. Davis tells of impending better days for Harvard tennis with clearness and evident enthusiasm, and the notice of the Associated Harvard Clubs celebration fills half a page. It may be news to somebody. But we are glad to find a picture of Merrill S. Gaunt, who died in France early this month, after doing splendid service with the Harvard Ambulance contingent. His career reminds us impressively of the disconcerting fact that the men the world needs most are so constantly meeting death in some brave service.

The Illustrated ought to be successful in its new venture. Its first issue as a fortnightly gives much promise. At any rate, two numbers like this one would contain more material than a single copy of the paper as it has been. The pictures are many and interesting; and, if some of the articles are not positively absorbing, their subject matter ought to be. The Illustrated is making a sincere attempt to do a distinct service here--perhaps a more restricted one than heretofore. The May 1 issue points the way. By bringing up ever so little of our charity and imagination, we can see that the magazine is likely to fill a larger place at Harvard than ever.