The Graduates' Magazine.

The June number of the Graduates' Magazine is exceptionally interesting even for this uniformly excellent publication.

The number opens with "Francis Parkman's Autobiography," which was read at a special meeting of the Massachusetts Historical Society, held to commemorate the death of the historian, but which has not before been published. This remarkable autobiography was the result, so the author tells us, of a desire to make known the extreme difficulties, which reduced to small proportions, what might have been a good measure of achievement. After reading the story we are amazed at the actual amount of work the man accomplished under difficulties almost insurmountable, and can only faintly realize what he might have succeeded in doing had he been able to devote all his powers of concentration and remarkable energy to his work.

We read that early in life a love of work became a ruling passion with him, and rest appeared to him to be intolerable. He made history his special study, and to it he devoted his whole heart. His mind was constantly turning towards remote objects of re-search and straining to attain them.

The result of this close and long continued application to study was a weakness of his eyes, that increased with alarming rapidity until he was almost blind. He was unable to read for more than five minutes at a time, and could not bear the sunlight. Against this adverse fortune, when most men would have given up effort, Francis Parkman struggled the greater part of his life. The story of his struggles, and of his life, crippled by sickness, is full of pathos, and a heroism that is inspiring.

William R. Thayer '81, contributes an article entitled "Shall We Have a University Club," which is intended to show that a University club is much needed in the social life at Harvard. In the course of the article, which is of interest as a discussion of a living question, Mr. Thayer gives the history and objects of the different societies and clubs already existing at the college, and shows how they have helped to bring about a social chaos, and this in turn to bring about an athletic chaos. In closing his article the writer says. "Let there be as many small clubs, and as many groups of specialists as are needed to give every individual fair play, already Harvard's student life offers advantages for a great number of diversified tastes, - but now we should organize the club which shall bind all these units together and give the student life of the University what it has never had, - a common meeting ground, a centre to and from which the many social activities would flow, an abiding-place for true Harvard spirit, and a source whence an enlightened and authoritative public opinion might spring."

"Higher Education in Railway Management," is the title of an article by George Bridge Leighton '88. The writer sets forth clearly and convincingly the need of some institution where railway management may be taught. He shows that there are schools or courses where the would-be lawyer, physician, doctor and engineer may study for their profession, but that by perseverance alone in practical work in one limited deparment can a young man educate himself in the railway profession.

Edmund A. Whitman '81, contributes the "Pi Eta Society," which is a history of the society from the time of its foundation in 1866 to its removal into its new house this year. The story is entertaining, though of particular rather than general interest.

Mr. George P. Baker gives an excellent account of the English play, which was produced here during the past winter, in the article entitled "Revival of Ben Jonson's Epicoene." In concluding his article, the writer dwells on the advantages to be derived from the revival of an interest in Elizabethan drama.

The only other articles, aside from the usual departments, are "Savage's Portrait of Washington," by Justin Winsor '53; "Where Harvard students Come From," by J. H. Beale, Jr., '82; and a valuable collection of documents on the football question by Professor A. B. Hart.