P. W. Long '98 Commends Monthly

Barring the first book review, the November Monthly has taken an aggressive, straightforward tone fairly free from convention and happily from preciosity, Professor Francke's featured article on "Germany's Hope," that is, individual subordination to ideal advance of the state, would have conveyed its point with somewhat less iteration of detail. A writer in the Spectator recently countered this point of view by finding English salvation in the British quality of "you-be-damnedness." That Harvard has it in individuals is evident from the somewhat daring editorials. There, for instance, R. G. N. avers that better poetry is now written in the college than is printed in current magazines. To judge by comparison with the current Atlantic he has some color of truth. B. P. Clark's "Nocturne" and E. E. Cumming's "Night" have at least greater freshness of descriptive material. The exotic quality of R. S. Nathan's "Evening"--a vague title, yet deserving a place on the title page--perhaps excuses its obscurity; one thinks of the "Fires of St. John."

Reverting to prose: J. S. Watson, Jr., in a resume of Professor Muensterberg's book misplaces his emphasis in dwelling on points which he finds extravagant. If the book be for the most part "sane," why not convey that impression? "The Spirit of Satire" is better; it exemplifies the serious prose which befits a magazine with intellectual readers. Still, one should, not begin with Greeks and end with grunts. For R. W. Chubb's statement of "The Position of the Internationalists of Europe" the reader will feel grateful for a timely, informative article. There is but one story; better so than to lower the standard. "The Finger of the Muse" advisedly deals in experience true to boy life, and presents it with a light touch that removes crudity. This is not the moment to carp: the "Monthly" is in able hands.