To Cheer the Eleven.

The football eleven will leave this afternoon at 3 o'clock from Leavitt & Pierce's, taking the 4 o'clock train from Boston and reaching Springfield at 6.30 this evening.

Whatever has been the past record of the team, it is strictly the duty of every man in college to be on hand to cheer the men off. In the opinion of the coachers and others who have watched the practice during the past ten days, Harvard has one of the strongest elevens in its history. This does not necessarily mean that victory is certain; it does mean, however, that our chances are good; that our eleven will play as it has never played before. It will either win a glorious victory, or suffer honorable defeat.

Coachers and captain have regretted deeply that the practice of late has had to be in secret. The men ought to have had credit for the wonderful improvement which they have made. Too many fellows have the unpleasant recollections of the Amherst, Cornell and B. A. A. games. They ought to remember that during that trying period the captain and the whole corps of coachers were working indefatigably day and night-drilling the men in the right principles and all the time the men were getting invaluable experience. It is only since the last game that the results became evident, then the improvement became marked, while the practice of the last two or three days has been of a most encouraging kind.

It seems right that the college should know of this. What the team now needs is the feeling that every man in college is back of it, ready to give his most loyal support. There are few more impressive scenes than the send off to a 'varsity team. The effect on each player is deep and lasting. Those who leave today for Springfield are in every sense of the word men and it lies with the college this afternoon to show them that they are supported by equally true men, who will do what they can to help win the game.