The Monthly.

The Monthly for February offers to the intellectually hungry an appetizing bill of fare and the different articles savor more of originality than did the contents of the January number.

The short essay of Mr. Curtis Guild, Jr., on "Political Reform and Political Reformers" occupies the place of honor. The keynote of the whole is contained in the quotation at the beginning of the article, "Corumpunt Oita corpus." Mr. Guild says that there are two ways in which a plain American citizen who is in earnest can be of measurable assistance in the promotion of political reform. Both necessitate trouble, The first method is the creation of public opinion; the second, going into politics. Mr. Guild urges upon Harvard men especially the necessity of active participation in politics and in political reform.

"Love as an Extra," by Norman Hapgood-the only fiction in the number-is not a story of action or of incident, but rather one of character delineation. The different moods of the hero are vividly drawn, and although the scene with the other principal character-the heroine-does not seem to have the force it should possess, the story as a whole gives a clear and correct picture of one of a class of men who, as the author says, "were prominent at Harvard a decade ago."

"One Aspect of the Idylls of the King," by N. W. Stevenson, displays much originality of thought. The author thinks that the peculiar feature of the Idylls of the King is their constituting a sociological poem, in which it is shown how "an atmosphere of evil eats out the heart of a community."

"Cardinal Newman's Poetry" is an interesting and appreciative criticism of the great prelate's poems.

The verse of the number, "A Head by Whistler" (anonymous) and "The Sun-Virgin," by W. V. Moody, show much poetical feeling and insight. "A Head by Whistler," especially, has an exquisiteness of diction that cannot but charm, although in the latter part there is an over-luxuriousness of language. "The Sun-Virgin" possesses the strength of diction and imagery which characterizes most of Mr. Moody's productions, but is permeated by considerable vagueness of thought; and such a name as "Xingpal" in the middle of a verse reminds one of a clash of cymbals in some dulcet measure.

The editorial discusses the need of oratorical training among college men, and the advantages which the Law Club and the Harvard Union afford.