foundation. When disappointments cloud around, he looks eagerly on to that time as a time to retrieve. As he sits in his room at the gray twilight, and swift, light, wings bear away his fancies, they fly always beyond that period, and paint in the dim future, glorious pictures of great successes, and noble actions. He knows that if opportunities have been wasted heretofore, this must all be changed, before those bright hopes can be realized. He feels more strongly than others, that the time for ease, and the time for revelling ends with college, and in that new life, earnest work and strong principles are the tools which chisel out a true success. A long level plain is stretched out, and the trembling hands of a sot, or the weakened brain of a rake, can never build up great landmarks upon it. And so when the boundary line between youth and manhood—so much more strongly marked to the student than to any others-is passed, and old ties are sundered, and old companions are left, then too, the old habits of idleness and evil are broken. They yield to the demands of a life which calls for different things, and melt away before the influence of Ambition and Hope, two passions which are cherished to unusual growth in a college course, and hold a strangely, powerful, influence over student character.

Such feelings as these, tend to diminish the tendency towards dissipation in college, and to break it entirely up when the course ends. Men graduate too, with minds educated, and little inclined towards debauchery. Pleasures are opened to them which other people cannot enjoy, and these take the place of a sickening round of vice, and unnatural excitement. Those who are ruined here would meet the same fate, in whatever way their youth is spent. For if temptations outside are not so strong, still the restraints are in proportion weaker. So long as student character remains as it is now, there is little danger that men of the least stamina, will be sent forth harmed to any great extent in their morals. And while such noble persons live here as some of us know, and their gentle, but strong influence spreads widely, as it now does, and entangles in its golden meshes so many captives, we need not fear any terrible depravity in the college itself. If we only possessed the spectacles of the old bookkeeper, of whom Curtis speaks so eloquently, and could gaze through them at these men, when their earthly forms faded away before the magic power, and the image of their souls was laid open to our sight, the picture seen would be a lovely garden intersected with pure clear streams of love and kindness, inviting weary men to enter, and retaining them by bonds of a strange strength.

W. F.

Book Notices.

Notes on the Floridian Peninsula. By DANIEL G. BRINTON, A. B. Philadelphia: Joseph Sabin.

It would be strange indeed, if, upon his retirement, a Yale "Lit" Editor should immediately throw away his quill, and close his portfolio; but that he should, the year after graduation, scatter his sheets through the land, in one volume, denotes that abundance of patience and perseverance, so much needed in an editor. Such is the present case. Mr. Brinton of the class of '58 has just published a 12mo. volume containing extensive researches into the literary history, Indian tribes, and antiquities, of the peninsula of Florida. His accounts are drawn not only from various authors, most of them early Spanish and French writers, but also from personal observations made in that state two or three years ago. Many of our readers will no doubt remember an article from his pen published in the "Lit," during his administration, called, "A city gone to seed," which was a fine description of an almost deserted city in Florida. The work can hardly be called a popular book, but as an instance of diligent study, and peculiar accuracy in so young a writer, it is well worth a perusal by all who admire those who contribute anything to science; and this, if not an extensive, is, at least, a valuable addition to American antiquities and archæology. In the Appendix is contained a description of what is called the Silver Spring, which from its peculiar beauty, and the clearness of its waters, probably gave rise to the myth of the Fountain of Youth. Also an interesting account of the Indian mummies found in Kentucky caves, who were preserved almost as well as their Egyptian brethren. To be procured through McKay, 155 Divinity.

Plutarch's Lives. Boston: Little, Brown & Co.

This is a new and elegant edition of the works of the great biographer. It is the translation called Dryden's, corrected from the Greek and revised, with a new life of Plutarch, by A. H. Clough, late Professor of the English Language and Literature in the University College of London. It is an 8vo. work, printed in large and handsome type, aud complete in five vols. A good edition of this first of classics has long been needed. Langhorne's translation has been much used, but in that, literalness is sometimes sacrificed to too much elegance. The correction of Dryden's translation from the original Greek by its present editor, makes it safe, reliable, and accurate. We think that it will 56

VOL. XXV.

be found to satisfy the wants of those who desire to possess the best edition of this standard work. To be obtained at 155 D. C.

Acadia; or a month with the Blue Noses. By FREDERICK S. Cozzens, author of "Sparrowgrass Papers." New York: Derby & Jackson.

Who has not read Sparrowgrass? Sparrowgrass! who went to live in the country. Sparrowgrass! who several times failed in his horticultural experiments. Sparrowgrass! who was ignorant of horseflesh, and got sold in bargains thereon. Sparrowgrass! who wished to make a wooden drain in his garden, miscalculated the dimensions, and the carpenter made something of the form and size of the Bunker Hill monument. If you have ever laughed at any of his humerous country-life adventures, then you can take up this book with a relish. Combining much information with a great deal of fun, it makes one of the best books for hot weather that we have met with for sometime. The Nova Scotians ought to be thankful for being thus brought into notice. For sale at 155 Divinity College.

Tressilian and his Friends. By R. SHELTON MACKENZIE. Philadelphia: Lippencott & Co.

This work, by the editor of "Noctes Ambrosianæ," is another readable summer book. It consists of about twenty-five stories, narratives and sketches, as told by a party of English gentlemen, who, contrary to custom, made themselves agreeable to each other, at an accidental meeting in an English Inn. The stories, most of them, are short but interesting, and nothing better can be taken up to while away a leisure hour. For sale at 155 Divinity College.

Biennial Examination. A Lithograph, by W. H. DAVENPORT.

This is the third of the series of pictures illustrative of college scenes and characters, and surpasses them all in correctness, conception and execution. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon our quondam classmate, Mr. Davenport, for the spirited manner in which he has brought out this scene. Those who have ever passed through Biennial will appreciate it at once; those who have not, will learn something of it in anticipation. We cannot go into a lengthy description of it here. A written explanation is intended to accompany each picture. The scene, of course, is laid in Alumni Hall. The foreground consists of two pillars supporting an arch composed of Lexicons; immediately behind this is a sort of upraised gate, answering to

an ancient portcullis, made out of pens. At the lower part of the picture and guarding the portals, is the three-headed Cerberus whom the Faculty have procured to assist them. On each side of him is an inkstand, and he has placed his paws on pens and paper lying immediately before him. Just in front of the arch before described, are seen a number of Cupids supporting the insignia of Juniors, viz: a beaver hat and standing collar. The disposition of the figures in the central portion, is very fine, and each face has its own peculiar expression of jubliancy, despair, and indifference, just according as each one is affected by the contents of the scheme before him. On the lower corners of the pictures are seen two youths,-the one dreaming of the results of a successful examination, the other of the effects of a failure. In the first case, the dreamer is spending his vacation as only Juniors know how to spend it, by paying various little attentions to a young lady standing by his side. The other is represented as ejected from the door by the paternal boot. The mechanical execution is very fine. We cannot say too much of the pleasure which each Yalensian will enjoy in reviving these scenes of his College days, by means of these pictures. Go, each one of you, and procure at least two copies of McKay.

He has also a fine portrait of Prof. Olmsted. By an arrangement with the family of the deceased, Mr. McKay is now enabled to furnish this life-like representation of a much-loved teacher, at less than onethird the usual price, which is fifty cents. Of course every one will have one. Price 15 cents.

Memorabilia Valensia.

We have but a meager account to give of things done and said during the last three weeks, for the simple reason that the college world seems to have been to lazy to do any thing, particularly worth reporting-except beating and being beaten, at three or four regattas.

A meeting of the Class of '60, was held Wednesday, June 29th, in the Astronomical room, to take into consideration the matter of Class Pictures. No definite action was decided upon. The various kinds of pictures were discussed. Steel plates were objected to, because they would make every one look so "hard." Photographs were considered; but as it was erroneously pronounced putty-graphs, it was hastily concluded, that we should all appear too soft. Finally, a committee, consisting of Messrs. E. DeC. McKay, H. E. Hawley, and

Mason Young, was appointed, to consult with various artists on the subject, and bring in a report accordingly. We are requested to state, that the committee may be able to report before the close of this term, if not, it will be done in the first part of next.

There were three Regattas on the Fourth, in which the Yale boats participated. One at New London, one at Middletown, and one here.

The Varuna was the only boat sent by Yale to the former place, and we hardly know whether to be glad or sorry. We are certainly grieved to report that New London preserved its reputation, and "whaled" us most effectually. To be sure, there are many alleviating circumstances connected with this race. In the first place, with as fine, or even better boats than our own, they beat us with professional oarsmen. The manner of turning the stake boats to the left, instead of the right, to which our crew were not accustomed, produced much confusion, and injured one of the waist-oarsmen, thereby causing a loss of more than a minute; the fact that the rowing was against time, and consequently there was not that genuine competition between individual boats, which makes our racing so interesting, all contribute, in a measure, to mitigate the unpleasantness of our defeat. But still, we must acknowledge ourselves fairly whipped; for we went into the race unconditionally, and tacilty agreed, of course, to abide by the rules laid down. We hope, however, that this is not a final test of the boatmanship of the two cities.

For though over-matched by the strength and size of their competitors, we still believe that there is yet "grit" and skill enough in our Yale boatmen, to do better than they did at New London on the Fourth.

The following contains the name of, and the time made by, each boat

At the second race for four-oared boats, the Varuna threw out two of their oars, entered and were beaten, a Greenport boat taking the prize.

But the harshness of our unsuccessful attempt at New London was relieved, somewhat by the triumphs of Yale boats at Middletown. At the race of six and eight oared boats, the Atalanta,-six oars, and the Olympia,-eight oars, were entered from Yale, and the Atalanta and Aliotus from Hartford. Of the mean and disreputable attempt of the latter club, to obtain the prize by filling their boat with six professional oarsmen, who did not belong to the Club, we cannot speak with any degree of excuse; and the condemnation of their action by the commodore, and the rest of the clubs of the Hartford Navy, does credit to their sense of justice, and impartiality. It is with great pleasure, that we are able to say that these six oarsmen did not know of the illegality, in such a proceeding.