YALE LETTER.

NEW HAVEN, Dec. 7, 1895.

Yale is unable to resist the temptation to be a little proud of the outcome of its debate with Princeton. This is not on account of the merits of this special debate or the excellence of Yale's work, but the first break in a long succession of defeats is always welcome. The Yale men acquitted themselves honorably and the Union has an excellent reserve force of as good or better speakers for future meetings. The growing interest in debating and especially in extemporaneous debating is shown by the establishment of a series of joint eating-club debates in the junior class. Four clubs have already agreed to meet in extemporaneous debate before the close of the term, and the probable success of the scheme will greatly aid the work of the Union.

The restrictive action of the Faculty in regard to this year's Prom. has not resulted in any lessening of the interest felt by the University as a whole, and the shortening of the Prom. period will help rather than harm the various events. The three germans will be held after the Glee Club concert, January 20. A Civil Service Reform Club has been organized and a constitution formulated and nominations made for officers. Professors Hadley and Henry W. Farnam are interested in the movement.

The plaster model for the statue of President Woolsey has been completed and goes to the foundry this week. Professor Weir is designer. The statue will be set up on the campus, probably in May. Graduates have given the statue, especially those who were here in President Woolsey's time, and the '96 Prom. committee assisted in raising funds.

Dr. W. L. Phelps delivered an address Wednesday evening, the centenary of Carlyle's birth. The attendance was larger than at the Keat's centenary and Dr. Phelps treated his subject with freedom and appreciation. Dr. Phelps has announced the books in Modern Novels for next term. They are twelve in number, by German, Russian, Norwegian and French authors.

M. Ignace Paderewski played before an enthusiastic audience on Tuesday and a large reception in the Art School, attended chiefly by persons attached to the college, was held after the recital.

Acting under the advice of President Dwight, the Phi Beta Kappa Society will take no action at present in regard to building a society house. Rooms will probably be assigned it in one of the university buildings which will answer all purposes nearly as well as a home.

The selection of F. T. Murphy for captain of next year's eleven meets with general support and endorsement. His work in the past three years has been hard, painstaking and thorough and besides playing his own position well he has a complete knowledge of the requirements of all the positions and every good quality for a successful captain.

YALE NEWS.