development was stunted in the growth of clan spirit. All classes were wearied with perpetual strife and oppression, and they earnestly wished for a change. Added to this feeling was the foreign influence which was beginning to make itself felt all over the country. The result was the bold stroke of some four or five daimios, who declared the Taikun to be a usurper and expressed their intention of restoring the lawful sovereign. The country was then divided in civil strife. Some nobles still adhered to their feudal lords, while others were independent enough to desert their former masters. After many defeats and victories, the party of the Taikun was vanquished and the next work to be done was to obliterate all traces of feudalism. This the daimios undertook to do first by renouncing their claim on the provinces over which they had hitherto exercised unbounded authority, and then by establishing the general government on a firm basis. They also dismissed their sammai and became private nobleman. Some of the most able statesmen now in the government are those very ones who in 1868 declared that feudalism should no longer exist in Japan, and that their native land should take her place among the enlightened nations of the world.

At present, the government of Japan is nothing more than an oligarchy; for the Mikado has but little authority, and the chief power is vested in the cabinet ministers. Although there is no national assembly, there are kens and chos which regulate local affairs. The Mikado has pledged himself to call a national assembly in 1890; but whether such a step will succeed in the present unsettled state of the country, remains to be seen. The political condition of Japan is not unlike that of Russia. The vast number of sammai, who were formerly attached to daimios, suddenly found themselves, after the Restoration of 1868, without occupation. It is true that many entered the regular army, and that others are in the government employ; but still there are not a few who have nothing to do but to sow the seeds of discontent among the

loyal citizens. They are not satisfied with the new regime nor are they willing to return to the old state of affairs. Socialistic pamphlets are freely circulated among the people, who are only too readily imbued with the spirit of lawlessness and are as much devoted to their revolutionary scheme as the Russians to their Nihilism. What will be the end of these agitations no one ventures to predict. In fact, the people of Japan could be divided into three most diverse parties: first, those who are conservative, who believe in the ancient regime and who strenuously oppose the introduction of any new principle or foreign civilization; the second class are those who advocate reform but believe in slow and sure progress; the third class are thoroughly discontented with the past and present and desire a change at any cost. Which of these is strong enough to overcome the other two, can not yet be decided,

Editors' Table.

The charge of extravagance which is so frequently brought against Vassar College is one which has its foundation largely in the imaginations of those who make it. We do not deny that there are here some extravagant girls-it would be phenomenal if, among three hundred, there were not-but we do emphatically deny that it is necessary for a Vassarite's good and happiness that she should spend a great deal of money. The art studies are the only extras; it is possible to keep one's bones moderately well covered without contracting stewards bills; and wardrobe requirements are simple in the extreme. Those uninitiated who fondly imagine that we daily disport ourselves in silks and satins might have some of their little theories concerning us rudely dissipated, should they come here in working time and see the number of plain short blue flannels and green flannels which figure on all occasions short of Phil. or Founders. Except upon two or three gala-days of this kind, it is no exaggeration to say that, but for the unfortunate predilection of elbows for fresh air, a girl could wear her blue flannel from "morn till dewy eve" on every day from November till April, and not once feel that she was conspicious from being underdressed. That elegant dresses are not a necessity, and that a girl does not feel out of place because she does not have them even on our most festive occasions, are facts to which more than one student of Vassar can testify. People who come here on state

occasions, and form their estimate of the drain upon our fathers' pocketbooks by the satin and velvet which some girl is trailing along the corridor, would do well to modify their opinions by a consideration of the cost of the simple dress behind her. A girl, if she chooses, can, without being or seeming mean, meet all the expenses of her college coursepossibly excepting those of her senior year-with six hundred dollars per annum-"all her expenses" including college bills, books, and wardrobe replenishings. It does not strike us that, in view of this fact, Vassar ought to be considered such a hot-bed of extravagance.

In one particular, there is certainly room for improvement; but even in that we are "not so black as we're painted." We refer to the class entertainments. Of course, it is very delightful, on such occasions, to have everything done up in the most elegant and sumptuous manner; but we are quite certain that we could manage to be moderately happy with a little less style and a great deal less expense. We are glad that the faculty are cutting down the costs of such entertainments, and we think that the students generally are reasonable enough to see the wisdom of such a course. Since the college officials are exhibiting such a tender consideration for our pocketbooks in the matter of our own personal and class festivities, we should like to suggest to them a means of lessening the pecuniary tax upon us for Philalethean day, which is not our own personal or class festivity. On that day the college is brought before the public in a way which, we think, is not at all prejudicial to its interests, and between one and two hundred college guests are entertained. The members of the society make all the arrangements, take all the responsibility, foot all the bills, present the college with all the invitations for its guests, and pay extra for all their own. It seems no more than just that now, when economy is being so forcibly and so wisely preached to us in reference to our own expendi tures, the college authorities should take practical measures to

lessen our expenses for Philalethean day. We cannot give our guests much less than we do in the way of entertainment; but we could, with the greatest ease, accept from the college the means of partially defraying the costs of such entertain

ment.

Only a few days more to the Christmas Holidays! The thought is energy to the weary, balm to the home-sick, bliss to the lover of society. The nineteen short days of rest and enjoyment stretch out into an endless vista of delight, and in anticipating coming pleasures we forget their inevitable end. It is, however, the end which demands our especial attention. The Christmas Vacation, delightful in itself, is first of all a preparation. The months which intervene between the Winter Holidays and the Spring Vacation, contain the hardest and most unbroken work of the College year,-work whose accomplishment demands the best possible physical and mental health. This indisputable fact is too often lost sight of, and the life during vacation brings exhaustion rather than recreation. Social pleasure and excitement, indulged in to excess, renders impossible all steady and successful work; enjoyed in moderation, it is an excellent preparation for the routine of College life and study.

If we were called upon to give advice to a young woman just about to enter Vassar, we should advise her, for the sake of her own comfort, to supply herself with a moderate amount of self-possession,-commonly called "cheek"--and with some slight bodily ailment, which will be available in case of need, and never in the way when not wanted. The amount of committee work that young woman will be saved, is worth the endurance of some physical suffering. And the claim she has