The Monthly

The November number of the Monthly contains as its leading article a discussion by Dean Shaler of "The 'Bloody Monday' Question." The writer makes a strong plea for the discontinuance of the annual Sophomore-Freshman rush; the arguments he uses are forceful and are likely to be convincing to the under-graduate body if regard for old custom is not too strong for the judgments of cool reasoning.

The lines read by Charles Warren at the opening of the Union are printed in this issue of the Monthly. Other poems in the number are "Worship," by Henry WymanHolmes, "The Song of the Brook," by R. M. Green and "Requiem," by Warren Seymour Archibald. The first of these has the ring of true poetry; in imagery it is unconventional and impressive, in wording dignified and strong. "The Song of the Brook," on the contrary, has neither marked originality nor beauty of phrasing to recommend it. Through the "Requiem"-on the death of President McKinley-runs sincerity of though, but, unfortunately, it is incorporated into a curious jogging, jingling rhythm mor eappropriate to a description of a sleigh-ride, for instance, than to a poem on a serious and dignified subject. "English Light Verse of the Nineteenth Century," by H. L. Warner, is the longest article in the number. The writer begins by defining "light verse" as verse "pitched in a tone the reverse of the grand or heroic, a tone which is shattered if passion rise, or ideas soar, or the somberness becomes oppressive." With this definition in view he traces the history of development of light verse from Elizbethan times to the present, reviewing the work of the men who have been most adept in this formof poetry. Intermingled with the writer's own comments are selection from the poetry discussed, and the combination of criticis, and illustration gives one a clear insight into the peculiaar characteristics of the verses of the different poets. The style of the article is easy and graceful. It presents in pleasant form an excellent criticism, of a department of English poetry about which most men know little.

"The Last Act," by George C. Hirst, if the only story in the number. The plot is one which requires strong handling of character and scenes to be made effective; in both the points the writer has failed and the story is weak and uninteresting in consequence.

An article by Thornton Gerrish '01 on "The International Athletic Games," editorials on the question of the abolishment of the rush, as suggested by Professor Shaler, on the international track games, and on the Yale Bicentennial, together with a number of book reviews, complete the number.