UNDERGRADUATES ADJUDGED MORE LITERARY THAN USUAL

The present number of the Advocate being almost entirely written by undergraduates is, oddly enough, all the more literary than usual. In fact, to an outsider it seems that Mother Advocate might be saying to herself. "Well, this home cooking isn't so bad after all." Having decided for a homelike novelty, the editors evidently stipulated that quality and good humor were not to go by the board; these two points the reviewer finds as outstanding features of the number.

There was a day when editors on other college papers awaited the arrival of Mother Advocate before sampling the verse of the month. Certainly the seven poetic contributions of this number are exemplary, in skill at least, of the old standard. Mr. Cabot's "Transcendency" being diabolically clever, is balanced by a conventional but charming bit from Mr. Sedgwick, and their juxtaposition on the same page shows excellent editorial acumen. Turning back a page we find Mr. Rogers' "where fauns with shadows play," while below him Mr. McLane in Swiftian style lampoons certain dull poetasters. "To still the Memnonian music of Song's lisps" is quite delightful provided Mr. McLane has his tongue in his cheek. Otherwise--? Mr. Hoffman's Sonnet, despite rather an anticlimacteric conclusion, is notable, for its pleasant poise,

. . . "for I am young!

Nature is old, and poisons my delight."

Mr. Coolidge's "Cargo" has the true metaphysical tone of the 17th Century; "Apologia" (Mr. McLane) concludes the verse of the issue.

The writer of ""Recapitulation," a semi-editorial, has hit the point accurately; perhaps it might be well to add in postscript that a visiting Englishman or Irishman wouldn't be true to type without the usual generalizations about American commercialism.

Mr. Train's idea in "The Hanging of the Angel" is very neat and the execution rather too full. This is certainly better writing than our average professional output. On the other hand, Mr. Hamblett's idea is better than his method; an excellent concluding sentiment, 'let the energy which might be spent in hating--turn to changing the conditions.

"A good act is a beautiful act," says Mr. Whitman in his "Philosophy of Beauty." This is treading on rather dangerous aesthetic ground since the word Beauty is by Definition (thought not by usage) in its own sphere. The point is best described by the difference between connotation and detonation. Does, for instance, the sight of a beautiful limousine make a man feel pious? Mr. Whitman is inclined to substitute attribute for subject. Even so, the writer has known or heard of few men who come out of aesthetic arguments unscathed.

Mr. Gavit writes a pleasing sketch, Mr. Garrison likewise; and lastly Mr. MacVeagh's trifle. A drama article and copious reviews of good books (here the graduates creep in) conclude the number. One closes the issue with the feeling that the Advocate Board, having produced a number of genuine humor and quality, deserves a ride that luxurious-looking, self-propelling carriage advertised on the reverse cover.