Scratch Races.

For the last three years, since the fall class races were given up for the sake of foot ball, scratch races have been held by the boatclub. The object of these races is to afford the college at large a few hours exciting entertainment and to keep awake an interest in boating at Harvard during the fall without injury to our foot ball prospects. The four senior eights will be chosen from those entered either by lot or by four men selected for that purpose by the boat club. These crews will probably be composed of experienced oarsmen, although a few inexperienced men may be taken to make up the requisite number. Of freshmen it is needless to say, no skill in rowing is required; indeed, the less skill the better. Therefore no one can refuse to enter from want of ability. The men will be chosen by lot, so that every one has an equal chance of winning a cup and fame. The prizes given will be pewter cups, which, though not as expensive as silver, are as conspicuous in a man's room. Any four men man enter the race for four oared crews. It has been suggested that "The Lampoon" challenge "The Advocate" for this event and each put forth its four best men. If more than two crews enter, this race will necessarily be rowed in boats, as there are but two four oared boats in the boat house.

There need be no fear of a repetition of last year's accident, as a new platform has been built capable of sustaining any crowd that can get upon it. The boat club evidently intends to make this the aquatic event of the season and everything will be done to insure a complete success. A large number of men should enter at once and by their promptness second the efforts of the officers of the club.