The Advocate.

The current number of the Advocate is an improvement over the preceding ones this year; although still not up to the standard set in previous years. Of the stories, one is deserving of very favorable mention, but the best that can be said of the poems, is that they are pleasing in tone and fairly rhythmical. The editorials are untimely and lacking in force.

The best story in the number is "The Downfall of Sherlock Holmes," by H. Ward '00. In clever imitation of Conan Doyle's style, the writer narrates an incident which has no part in the memoirs of the "great detective." Throughout, the story is well sustained, and, moreover, it shows a sureness of touch and a power over detail. The movement is swift and the plot is seemingly original. "A Journey's End," by C.F.C. Arensberg '01 is a conventional love story which contains some rather skilfully arranged dialogue. In "The Policeman," A. H. Gilbert '01, attempts a sympathetic treatment of low life, and, in seeking to accomplish this, he makes frequent use of cheaply sentimental phrases. "A Junior Partner," by C. R. Saunders '01, is a character study in which a mood is described rather than suggested. "The Revelation," by W. Stevens sC., is a remarkable bit of work in which the characterization or plot, if it contains either, can be revealed only by prolonged study. "One Shall be Taken, The Other Left," by B. F. Bassett '97, is of the Fireside Companion order.

"In an Old Country," a poem of considerable merit by R. S. Holland '00, "An Indian Lullaby," by Erskine Wood '01 and some verses on "Temptation," printed anonymously, complete the number