EDITORS' TABLE.

We can well remember with what a respectful silence and patience we sat, nearly four years ago, in the Freshman recitation room for half an hour over the usual time, listening to profound remarks from a Senior, on the possibility, feasibility, and finally, the actual certainty of the issue of a Quarterly Magazine, to be edited by members of the Senior class and sustained by all college. Our ideas of that Senior and his class were immediately enlarged-and they have not contracted to this day. Many were skeptical-a few ridiculed the project. One presumptuous fellow was heard to say, he "didn't believe the Magazine would be worth powder enough to blow it up," and another thought it would be "nothing but a blow, full of blank cartridges and squibs," and a conceited Soph remarked that 66 an attempt to issue a Magazine every four months would prove an abortion." The class of '54, however, trusted to their exertions, copy was soon sent to the printer, and in due time a Quarterly appeared.

From that time to this we have been the witnesses of many laudable efforts for, the listeners to not many execrations against, and the interested readers of, three volumes of the Magazine.

The exertions, inasmuch as they have been voluntary, have been hearty, and therefore comparatively successful; the execrations, when reasons were demanded for their support, eased off in objections to the literary character of the contributions; while the subscription list is gradually increasing. The objections may be well-founded-if they are, let the men who make them, determine to aid in removing them; if they

will not do this, then don't let us hear further quibbles. But the most encouraging things-better, at this early season of our year's connection with the Magazine than objections, or even subscription lists-are a few letters received from old graduates. From the bustle and travails of life, they rest a moment to look back upon the "memories of days departed ;" and these glances mark plainly that their hearts are deeply interested in the prosperity of their alma mater, and everything connected with her. We beg pardon, but we cannot resist the inclination to copy a few ex

tracts:

CORRESPONDENCE.-" Messrs. Eds:

*

I am glad to know that your class are going on with the publication of the Quarterly. I think it an honor to the College, and it would be a disgrace to have it dropped, now that it has such a fine start.

* It is one of the best college magazines I have seen. With best wishes for your success, &c., &c."

"GENTLEMEN :-My long non-intercourse has not been owing to indifference to your work and object; for no Alumnus receives ye Quarterly, I am sure, with greater pleasure than ye subscriber. I loved my college life too well to forego my remembrance of "Old Gull," now that some twenty-two years have intervened since my graduation. I value your periodical, not less on account of the intrinsic value of its general contents, (which, in my humble opinion, are much above the usual tenor of college journals,) than on account of ye faithful record of present College history. Long live old Williams!

With such encouragements and a bountiful supply of hopes, aspirations and everything except money-we make a welcome, and, at the same time, a retiring bow.

Prize Essay.

In order to add to the literary merits of our pages, and also as a slight stimulant to more general efforts, there was offered a prize of ten dollars for the best essay written for publication in our present number. Owing, however, to the absence of the Seniors during their vacation, the extra

grubbing of the Sophmores for Biennial, and the limited time for preparation, a sufficient number of essays were not presented in time for adjudication and publication in this number. The Editors have therefore decided to renew their offer, and a prize of ten dollars is hereby offered for the best Essay, under the following regulations, viz: 1. The Essay may be on any subject chosen by the writer. 2. The length of the Essay shall be such as to occupy not less than seven, nor more than twelve pages of the Quarterly. 3. Each Essay shall be marked with some fictitious signature, and accompanied by a sealed envelope containing the real name of the author, and marked on the outside to correspond with the fictitious name. 4. The writer must be an undergraduate of the College and a subscriber to the Quarterly. 5. The Editors shall have the right to retain and publish, with or without the names of authors, such of the Essays as they may select, simply as articles. 6. The Editors will request graduates of the College to act as adjudicators. N. B.Essays must be handed in on or before the 8th of October.

Rejected Addresses.

The complaisant author of "College Critics and Criticisms" manifests a good degree of that spirit which he allows to others. If his language could have kept his ideas on their feet, perhaps the piece might have limped into the Quarterly, but, as they were halt and blind, leaders of the blind, they have together fallen into the-fire.

The unassuming note which accompanied the article on "Pigeon Hunting," was a fit prologue to the communication. We cannot well pick out a man in College with such "thumby fingers," spell-bound tongue, and flighty thoughts, as this piece would indicate the writer to possess-in fine, it was devoid of a capital beginning, or pointed end. Other addresses, payed in good faith, and, at first, seeming pleasure, on her part, were afterward rejected by Maga.

College Annals.

There seems to be a certain magic in the customary preparations for commencement, that drives every cloud from the sky, and parches the

dull earth. Occasional showers fall around us, but we have had no rain since the class of '56 bade farewell to prayers and College duties. The heat and dust have become so oppressive that the student longs for the time when he shall retire to country life. Commencement this year comes earlier, by two weeks, than usual, but it seems as if its nearer approach made it the more desired, and never have we seen more heartily welcomed the days that shall complete another collegiate year.

We have no news of vital importance to communicate. Shortly after the last issue of the Quarterly, the electioneering talent of College was brought to bear on the coming elections. But the minds of all were so generally made up as to who was, and who was not, "around," that it was no difficult task to foresee that the results would be what they are. The following were the officers chosen by the various societies :—

SAMUEL H. SCUDDER, President.

HARRY HOPKINS, Secretary and Treasurer.

E. C. HOOKER, W. D. DAY, H. E. SCUDDER, Directors.

.

Landscape Gardening Association.

PROF. JOHN BASCOM, President.

PROF. ALBERT HOPKINS, PROF. ISAAC N. LINCOLN, Vice Presidents. ELIJAH CUTLER, Head Gardener. DAVID S. JOHNSON, Secretary and Treasurer.

The Marshal's supper given on the evening of July 1st, by Messrs. Bowles & Bronson to their class, was-judging from a near view, and a few snuffs snatched at intervals when nobody was looking-an agreeable affair. The tables were set in the customary place, Mr. Meacham's grove, and a bountiful supply of good things disappeared in the course of the evening. There was more interest manifested in devouring viands than in disgorging toasts; and the speeches, with few exceptions, were evidently ill-digested. After the supper, the "Class of '56" marched up to the President's study, preceded by appropriate music, and received his benediction-words ever to be remembered-and then, after parading a short time, they sang their significant song and dispersed.

The Fourth passed off very quietly; some even thought they were ⚫ about to have another Sunday in the week. Towards evening, however, an occasional fire-cracker or torpedo startled us from our dreams and woke us up to celebrate.

On the 8th and 9th following, the Seniors passed their last examination, known to all "old graduates" by the name of "Senior Examination." The days were far more comfortable for those being examined, than any which have been set apart for that purpose for some time before. This is of course the result of being earlier in the season than usual. During a good portion of the last day rain fell, and so did horse hire, and the countenances of many who were anticipating a ride to the rural districts. Towards night it cleared up beautifully, and the evening proved a very fine one for the Adelphic Union exhibition. The list of exhibitors was given in the last number of the "Quarterly." The music by Hodges' band gave much better satisfaction than that by the same band at the Junior Exhibition. The speaking was good, the house full, and everything passed off creditably to the Societies and their representatives.