Monthly Review by Prof. Schofield

The November Monthly deserves hearty praise. In such an issue as this the Monthly justifies itself abundantly, and reflects credit on the College.

Mr. Bellows, in the leading article, dis- cusses clearly and cogently a subject the importance of which no one will question, "Harvard Admission Requirements." The writer aims "to point out certain things in the present system which appear to produce bad results, and to determine what subjects the College clearly ought to require for admission." Members of the Faculty, as well as undergraduates, may well read this article with attention. The Editor of the Monthly, however, in his comments on the subject, is mistaken in thinking that "the citadel of election" may already have fallen. Neither President Lowell, nor the Faculty, has as yet indicated any desire to replace an "elastic" by a "rigid" curriculum.

Mr. Savery contributes an interesting account of "Clyde Fitch, the Man and Playwright," which seems to be based on personal acquaintance with Mr. Fitch, and helps in the understanding of his work. Mr. Lippmann writes earnestly, though somewhat extravagantly, "In Defence of the Suffragettes." Mr. Douglas gives some effective pictures of incidents in the service of a "rookie" in the recent war games of the Massachusetts militia. Mr. Snedeker, in his "Pity Women," shows power to portray persons vividly and to convey a sense of sadness. Professor Neilson's appreciation of Mr. Hagedorn's important volume "A Troop of the Guard" is sympathetic and just. The review of Mr. Zangwill's "Melting Pot" is discriminating. Evidently, the prose in the number is alive with interest in matters of present concern within and without the College world.

Mr. Grimes's thoughtful sonnet "The Beaten Trail," Mr. Greene's graceful translation "From the French of Rousard," Mr. Seegar's very melodious "San Cristoval," Mr. Gilkey's "Song," containing a poetic idea, Mr. Reed's charming "Melisande," and Mr. Thayer's ambitious "Midnight"--these together, one is happy to see, attest a widespread power among Harvard students to write finished and fine-spirited verse. More sustained effort is manifest in Mr. Hunt's adaptation of the delightful Middle-English lay "Sir Orfeo." This rendering--of which half is postponed to the December number-- is of striking excellence. Mr. Hunt employs with good effect an eight-line stanza, instead of the rhyming couplets of the original, but he adheres closely to the meaning and tone of the old poem. This is the only good translation of "Sir Orfeo" that has yet been made into modern English, and would be welcomed by many if published in separate form