Harvard Monthly.

The Monthly begins its eighth volume with an exceptionally interesting number. The graduate article, contributed by Assistant Professor Wendell, treats of the topic of greatest interest to students, "The Harvard Undergraduate." Mr. Wendell's opinions upon this subject are f unusual value because of his close connection with the college for the last sixteen years, and especially his intercourse with students through the medium of daily themes. He considers that "the leading trait of the Harvard undergraduate is a fine sense of veracity." Of the secondary characteristics he mentions "a manly frankness," and, resulting from this, "the less welcome but more obvious traits" of self consciousness and self distrust. Summing up the characteristics of the undergraduate. Mr. Wendall says: "Sincere at heart then we find him; frank, and plagued with a self-consciousness that leads to a somewhat serious lack of assertion, which leads in turn to an evanscent lack of earnestness, and to a rather comical sense of his own immaturity." The author goes on to mention the various manifestations of self a nscicusness, and states that many men exaggerate their vices to pretending to be better than they are, because, of all vices, that which flourishes least in the atmosphere of Harvard is hypocrisy; of all habits the most detested is cant." The article contains several random daily themes, which show the frank attitude of the student toward the instructor. Written by one who has obtained such a thorough insight into the real life at Harvard as Mr. Wendall, the article is a welcome defence of the college from the malicions attacks of superficial observers.

Mr. C. T. Sempers urges the annihilation of prigs in his article entitled, "Of Snobs and Prigs." These offensive mortals are classified, described and accounted for in a lively conversation, which, however, itself contains a suggestion of priggishness.

The last prose article, "Partisanship or Independence in Politics-a Choice," is contributed by Mr. H. H. Darling. It takes the opposite ground from Mr. M. Storey's "Politics as a duty and as Career," in advocating party organization rather than personal independence. The writer divides independent voters into five classes, and after showing that the first three are objectionable on moral grounds, claims that the experience of the last few years has proved the inexpediency of the others. While the influence of the last two classes appears to be underrated, the argument for the formation of political parties is strong and worthy of attention.

The editorial is a criticism of the recent votes of the Overseer. It agrees with Mr. Walcott's views in regard to all the proposed measures except the roll call. This it condemns as wrong in principle, degrading to the moral tone of the University in results, and unnecessary.

The only verse of this Monthly is a short contribution "My Heritage," by R. L. Weeks. An obituary notice of Thomas Parker Sanborn, '85, and a Book Review complete the number.