A PLAN FOR THE SUMMER VACATION.

EVEN as early as this many of us are wondering what we shall do during the next summer, and, like wise men, we decide generally to let things take their own course, and if then nothing turns up, to go to some place where we have enjoyed ourselves before, and where we are sure to meet old friends and live the same old times over again. The fear of passing an unpleasant summer, or of incurring great expense, prevents many from trying some new ground for their summer's enjoyment. To be sure, summer boarding-houses in the country are better than staying in the crowded city during the hot summer; but why not go to Europe, where there is every thing to attract one? The idea is prevalent that it is very expensive, and that it is only possible for those who can afford to spend $500, or even more, as, indeed, most of those going for a summer think necessary. This is a great mistake, as a moderately careful man can go for the whole summer, and live comfortably for $250, which will cover all expenses. The price for a return ticket, on one of what are considered second-rate lines, is from $110 to $140. Among those which are cheap and at the same time sufficiently comfortable and well managed, are the Anchor, In-man, Guion, &c., sailing from New York, and the Warren line from Boston. These all go to British ports, but if France is chosen as a destination, the French lines will be found very comfortable and quite reasonable in charges.

A man may leave Cambridge at Commencement and make his plans for twelve weeks. Three weeks at least must be subtracted for the two voyages, thus leaving nine weeks to be spent ashore. If one has $250 in all, and pays $130 for his steamer tickets, that will leave $1.90 a day, which will be enough to live on even in London. Of course it is necessary to take lodgings in some quiet place, perhaps not very near the city, and have your meals at the chop houses and small restaurants. It is very easy to confine one's self to a fixed amount, and to get into the way of bearing slight inconveniences in the way of travelling third class when necessary to use the railway, for this plan is based on experiences of a walking tour, and when coming to a village or city at night, in going to the little inns where the farmers and tradespeople gather in the evening. They are, by the way, not unpleasant companions, and form an instructive feature in travelling. In a walking tour in England, six or seven shillings a day is a comfortable allowance in the country, and this would leave a slight surplus to be spent when in London in the many tempting ways.

A trip to France could be made still cheaper and with greater comforts. If the steamer landed at Havre, a tour through Normandy and Brittany could be made with no railway expense at all. Even if some of the poorer students feel that they cannot afford $250, let them bear in mind that $250 enables a great deal of solid comfort, and that a second-cabin passage, - which to a good sailor is comfortable enough, - with extra care of the pennies on shore, may bring the cost of the whole trip down to less than $200. Then there are the increased facilities for getting good clothes cheap, and by this saving in the cost of clothing for two or three years to come, one may almost go at no extra expense if he go only once in two or three years.

It is a pity that more students should not go to Europe for at least one summer while they are in college. Of course it is useless to dwell upon the many advantages and pleasures to be gained by such a trip, and it is to be hoped that in time it will be a common thing for at least fifty men to go every summer; and if this ever should come about, by going across in the same ship the cost could be still further reduced.