The "Advocate."

The Advocate appeared yesterday afternoon, and contains much good reading matter. The editorials are bright and forcible as usual. "A Mexican Village" is a fair bit of description of the placid life in the growing state of our neighbors. "John Bryant's Ride" is an unusually well written story. In a few lines a situation is very forcibly drawn. There is not a sentence nor a word too much; the movement of the story shows great vigor. "An Automaton" is a very remarkable study and deserves a careful perusal and thoughtful consideration. It is with no mean descriptive talent that the author has succeeded in tracing the various steps in the dulling of the college man's sensibilities. What is implied-that which one can read between the lines is often an index to the value of a piece of writing. In this sketch any one whose experience has led him to sympathize with Daspaw can read words of truth between the lines. The story is very much out of the common order and outshines some of the best of the writing which has appeared in the Advocate this winter. "Fotheringhay" is an interesting description of the castle in which Mary Stuart met her sad fate.

Of verse "At Evening" is rather a commonplace production; "The New Year" is well rounded, but lacks strength and any noticeable beauty of thought. As for "Bits from the H. P. C. Play" they can hardly be excused even on the score of their being mere "padding" to fill up the number. While such versifying is very good for a song when the listeners won't hear the words in any way, it seems rather hard to expect anyone to enjoy reading them.