Word comes from the Office that next Thursday will probably not be a holiday in the University. This strikes us as exquisitely inappropriate. A holiday has been established by the State to commemorate the patriotism of those sons who were the pioneers of the nation's independence. Few historic events are more dramatic than the battles of Lexington and Concord; few have so firm hold upon national enthusiasm or so great renown throughout the civilized world. The first educational institution of the land, situated in such proximity to the battle fields, founded and fostered by the same spirit for public welfare that manifested itself there,- certainly such an institution cannot afford to stand coldly aloof while the people of the State unite to observe this day.

We believe that patriotism, despite all its modern caricatures at the hands of sentimentality and hypocrisy, will never be too commonplace to be honored; and that any institution of culture, unless its culture is simply dilettant, will always be eager to pay its due share of honor. Harvard owes a public recognition of sympathy in the inauguration of the holiday, and, in the name of the great body of students, we appeal to the gentlemen who are members of the Corporation to declare next Thursday a holiday throughout the University.

The performance of the Latin Play was intentionally named for this day, in order to follow the custom of the Romans in presenting such plays on public festivals. Peculiar circumstances of our own therefore make more fitting still this action by the Corporation.