Communication

To the Editors of the CRIMS0N

There is a reason, despite the editorial in yesterday's CRIMSON, for holding two examinations on one day; and Dventure to think it stronger than the argument, on the ground of mental lassitude and exhaustion, for not doing so. Up to this year the "general" examination, as distinguished from the "special", in the Division of History, Government and Economics, 'has consisted of a single three-hour paper, in three one-hour sections--essay, non-departmental and departmental. Vigorous representations form both professors and students, that sufficient time was not allowed to enable the candidates to do themselves justice on the departmental section, convinced the examiners that two hours should be allotted to that portion of the examinatin. They were thus confronted with the alternative of holding a single four-hour examination, or of splitting it into two two-hour parts; and they chose the latter course in the belief that it would be more generally acceptable to the students. As the two parts were originally subdivisions of one examination, it never occurred to the examiners to put them on dififerent days, nor does there seem to be any valid reason for doing so. It would certainly be unfortunate to break up the students' regular morning work three times in one week; it does not seem likely that three afternoon examinations would be popular; the present course avoids both these difficulties and saves time. R. B. MICRRIMAN '96.