EXTRACTS FROM A REJECTED SOPHOMORE THEME.

(Wherein the writer describes the difficulties he encounters in trying to find out the opinions of the young women that he knows in regard to early marriages.)

[The instructor's comments are in brackets.]

I first visited a very neat little piece [obscure, piece of what?] with whom I passed a delightful evening [very vague]; but towards the end of our chat I became painfully aware that I had not accomplished my object, so I turned the conversation from morning prayers to early marriages. My young friend seemed to think I was meditating something of the sort [what sort?] and to consider it a huge joke [why?], for she only called me a silly boy as she bade me a "touching" [ambiguous] good-by.

SECOND EXTRACT.Where I next called the young lady was not at home, so I left my card with "What do you think of an early marriage?" written on it. She must have misunderstood me, for her reply was cold and formal, and not at all to the point [query, what did she say?].

The lady on whom I next called - her age I judge to be about twenty-seven - spoke with feeling, a good deal of feeling, on the subject. She said, "Any young lady who married before she was thirty committed an irreparable error." This saddened me for a time [doubtful, state how long], for had my mother entertained the same views on the subject I should yet be in knicker-bockers [illogical].

THIRD EXTRACT.One young lady of a facetious turn of mind assured me that any marriage earlier than 6.30 in the morning would be in very bad taste. I am of the same opinion [want of connection].

I pursued my investigations much farther, but with no satisfactory results, for my friends all took the same view of the matter, namely, that I was hopelessly gone [gone where?] on some one, and would not listen to reason [bad taste, too great an assumption]; so I have resolved to drop the matter till I have reached the age of acknowledged celibacy [vague].

[NOTE. - The whole work seems to be an attempt at something funny. You have not handled your subject well. The whole is quite improbable. - INSTRUCTOR.]

R. R.