In the Randolph-Macon Monthly, for January may be noted the article entitled “Hanover Court House,” around which cluster memories of Patrick Henry; also “De Quincy,” in which the author gives a graphic criticism of some of the “English Opium Eater’s” productions. But the most pleasing feature of the periodical is a neat cut of Randolph-Macon’s new gymnasium. This is a reminder that an article appeared in this magazine last month relative to the advantages of a gymnasium. But it is an established fact that a weak body and soft muscles will ever be a serious hindrance to a strong mind, so too much cannot be said favorable to that great agent of physical culture. No College can count itself fully equipped without this very necessary feature. In the acquisition of her “Physical Culture Hall,” Randolph-Macon may rest assured that she has taken a long step in the right direction.

In the Sophomore and Freshman years, students use text-books, but in the Senior and Junior years they use subjects,—Haverfordian.

Were ‘should’ inserted in each place preceding ‘use,’ the above would be true here. Text-books should blaze the way, as it were, for the student in the acquisition of an education. Nothing is more difficult to instill into the mind of a student than the principle that he is to study for an education and not for a grade. He will not comprehend that, when school days are over, the world is not going to look in the “grade-book” for figures by which to size him up, but is going to estimate him by what is in his head. The abolition of the marking system would be a great boon to the cause of education. Then would students leave off worrying and cramming their heads with the contents of dry text-books, the knowledge of which remains only temporarily, and broaden out with a course of reading, making the acquisition of knowledge not a burden but a pleasure.

The Wake Forest Student for January has a very interesting article on “States Rights.” It begins by calling attention to the late decision rendered by the Supreme Court in the case of Judge Bond’s injunction. The writer states in reference to the decision that it has given to the doctrine of State Rights, which received almost its death-blow in the Civil War, “new strength and new limbs.” It will be remembered that strength and life began to be infused in 1872 when the decision was rendered in reference to the Louisiana Slaughter house cases; also by the subsequent decisions “which pronounced null and void the ‘Kuklux Act’ and the ‘Civil Rights Act,’ because the absurd theory on which they were based would make Congress take the place of State Legislatures and supersede them.” Taking into consideration that the late decision was rendered by Justices appointed by Republican Presidents, the principle of State Rights has indeed received a wonderful impetus. The author is a very able champion of the sovereignty of States as the only sure plan of retaining our individual rights. We feel sure that his words voice the sentiment of every true lover of his State.

In the last number of the College Message appears an article of merit entitled “The Novel Again, A Protest.” The author is not lacking in appreciation of novels of the first order, and, indeed, assigns to works of fiction, by standard authors, the honor of performing a great and good office; but justly criticises that slimy stream of inferior fiction which is flooding the marts of literature, and disseminating vicious and corrupting sentiments in the minds of the young. The article shows its author well versed in the subject. It is acknowledged that cigarettes and whiskey are the uncompromising enemy of boys. Inferior novels are the inveterate enemies of both boys and girls. The former foes inflict wounds, for the time being, upon the body, yet these being vanquished the wounds will heal; but the latter attack the mind—the soul—and war with poisoned weapons whose hurt is incurable.

Many of the Archive’s political exchanges are sharply censuring Speaker Carlisle on account of his treatment of North Carolina representatives in regard to the formation of the House Committees. True, all of them occupy rather insignificant places. But, upon taking second thought, fair-minded men will not accuse Mr. Carlisle of partiality, but will rather ascribe the placing of North Carolina members to the short duration of their membership. North Carolina has many able sons and delights to honor them all. To do this, she distributes Congressional honors too frequently, so that, when a representative’s reputation and influence is just budding, he must step down and out to make place for a new member. Thus the State suffers. In regard to this, North Carolina may well take a lesson from the North and West.

The Raleigh Chronicle, one of the best weeklies in the State, and one eagerly read by Trinity’s students, lends a helping-hand to the Endowment Fund in the shape of a well written, broad-minded editorial. As long as the editor wields his pen in behalf of education, may success attend him.

The Greensboro North State, notwithstanding its politics, is one of the most interesting, ably-edited papers that visit the Archive.

The editor of The Tobacco Plant writes, as the fruit of his visit to Trinity, an article on the College. In it he pays a graceful tribute to his instructors in the days of yore, and closes with a stirring appeal to North Carolina Methodists in behalf of Trinity.