This number contains seventy-five pages of interesting reading and we are glad to make the acquaintance of such exchanges, and if all are as good as this number we will ever hail her coming.

The Sigma Nu Delta's for Dec. '85 and March '86 are both creditable numbers. The contributed articles are well written, and those relating to the Fraternity are fair indices of the untiring, undaunted vigor of our determined sister. Northern extension receives marked attention, and already two chapters at the North answer to the roll call of Sigma Nu. She is evidently on the "war-path," and we will only say: don't exhaust your forces by too rapid marches. The Dec. No. has ten, the March number seven chapter letters. The Delta is a quarterly of about twenty-six pages; is well conducted, unpretentious and peaceful. This we are sorry to say cannot be said of all our exchanges.

The Beta Theta Pi for January '86, is a fair number. It has not been our privilege to examine any of THE PALM'S exchanges before, and consequently we know little or nothing about them. However by some means or other we were led to expect a great deal more from Beta Theti Pi than this number gives us, hence we are somewhat disappointed. "The December semiannual Letter" is certainly a commendable feature, which might be adopted with propriety by other fraternities. In several cases we know it overdoes the matter, or in other words it prevaricates a little. It makes Beta Thet Pi everything and her rivals nothing. Plain, solid, unvarnished truth should always be given. We can scarcely conceive of a chapter of any fraternity, have it as many rivals as it may, which does not have a few men who redeem it from being utterly unintellectual and totally demoralized. "A Prodigal" is a good article. The editorials show the troubles and trials of editors and we are sympathetic. This number contains thirteen chapter letters, which in many respects are good, though too many of them boast of having "cliqued" and "schemed" so as to carry away the bulk of the college honors or distinctions. What is termed "barb opposition" is also too prominent. Such things as these tell a tale which too often results in bringing worthy fraternities into seri

ous disrepute. Cliquing is always a detriment to a college, a defeat of the true mission of Literary Societies and a dark stain on Fraternities. "Literary Exercises in the Chapter" presents that side of the question very well, though we are decidedly non-literary. "The Betas" and a number of "Fraternity Notes" bring us to the end.

The Delta Kappa Epsilon Quarterly for January contains 92 pages and is a grand number. The first 28 pages are taken up with an exhaustive discussion of "The Decoration of Greek Lodges" by J. DeWitt Warner and J. A. Porter. We would like to transfer it to our pages but it is too long for our space, and to clip here and there only would do the authors injustice, so we pass on to the report of the "39th convention." Fraternity men always know how to have a good time and the Delta Kappa Epsilons evidently had a grand meeting. Some of the most prominent men of the country were present and added much to the stateliness of the occasion besides uniting their voice with the "lesser lights" in singing the Delta Kappa Epsilon Doxology:

"And the chain that stretches longer

Over land and sea,

Binding faster, clasping stronger,

Is our ▲ K. E"

A full complete history of her Psi Chapter at the University of Ala., is given which shows that before its recent revival 81 members had gone out from the university. The biography of each one is briefly given showing that its annals were very complete. It also shows that thorough organization and absolute requirements are very essential to a chapter's success. The "Editorial" is all concerning the Psi Chapter. Indeed nearly the whole number is taken up with this newly revived chapter. Everything in it is decidedly for Delta Kappa Epsilons which is perfectly right and proper. "Reviews" and exchanges are full and generally appreciative. We are heartily thankful for what is said of THE PALM, and in order to show our readers how THE PALM stands among fraternity journals we give what is said:

"The Alpha Tau Omega PALM keeps the even ten or of its

way, and is almost monotonously good. In June as a frontispiece is presented a combination of the coat-of-arms and the badge of its fraternity. Live Forever, A. T. Q., is a song which can be both scanned and sung. Articles on Chapter Meetings, Chapter History, New Members, and Chapter Houses are a peculiarly fine set of contributed editorials. A full account is given of the meeting of Alpha Tau's Florida alumni at Tallahassee in March last. Chapter reports are usually full. Our Exchanges is a well written and thoroughly appreciative review of its Greek contemporaries. An abstract is given of Greek Homesteads from our January number, and editorials, though scarcely of general interest, are just what was wanted from an Alpha Tau Omega standpoint. In September another song, The Realm of A. T. Q., has the same good qualities as that above mentioned, and selections from other Greek journals are copious and well chosen."

The Arrow" of Pi Beta Phi has just arrived and we therefore must give it the last place instead of the first as we did formerly. Those persons who are so prone to ask when anything is to be accomplished: "What can Ladies do?" should just read the September '85 and February '86 Nos. of this valued journal; for we believe they would soon ask, "What can't Ladies do?" "Portraiture of Women in Poetry" is a purely feminine article and consequently men need not look for a surplus of praise. Miss Kennedy makes four good points, viz: "The size of a chapter," "The selection of members," "Chapter Histories," and "Interest Among Alumnae," which apply equally to older and stronger orders. Since we have a good share of curiosity we will be pardoned for wishing we could meet "Cora F. P." That is if the following pen portrait is correct:

TO CORA F. P. OF GAMMA.

What is my thought like? A beautiful flower
Fairer and sweeter with each passing hour,
And its bloom and its fragrance are all the day long
The soul of our dreaming, the theme of our song.

What is my thought like? A jewel so rare
All sparkling and glowing in radiance fair,
Thro' its pure pearly pallor, shy tremulous flame
Now rises, now falls and now slumbers again.

What is my thought like? Blue fathomless deeps
Of impalpable ether where faint starlight sleeps;
Mysterious wonders, the music of spheres,

A harmony holy thro' infinite years.

And yes 'tis not there, tho' its likeness may be

In the flower, the opal, the ethereal sea;

But crowning their union with power divine

One bright "I. C." maiden is this thought of mine.

LUCY S. SILKE, Gamma.

"Practical use of Spiders" is an interesting bit of Natural History. A goodly number of editorials, seven chapter letters and a well conducted exchange department brings us to the end of the Sept. No. The cover is much improved, in the Feb. No. This number is taken up with convention news and notes. The 9th National Convention was held in Oct. '85 and was a decided success. It is noticeable, however, that the crowning point of it was reached when the "Betas and Phi Psi's came and filled the rooms." The Arrow is a special favorite of ours and we shall always be glad to welcome it to our table.

ONLY.

Only a smile, and a bow as we met,
A waltz at the party that day ;
Only a call to express my regret,
Her fan I had carried away.

Only a call, and another one still,
A welcome whenever I came;
Only a drive, or a stroll on the hill,-
The story is ever the same.

Only a word-what it was you can guess;
I purchased a ring the next day ;
Only a bride, in a white satin dress,
Of presents a brilliant array.
Only a tour, on the Continent made,
A return to our friends waiting here;
Only a bill, will it ever be paid?
And-hush baby; hush, that's a dear!

H. C. S.

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.

With this number we begin the 6th volume of the PALM. From the first its efforts for the Fraternity have been earnestly appreciated, its usefulness has been conceded. A new departure is made in this number in the appointment of a Business Manager, under the authority of the Congress of 1884. The right man has been found for this important position in Bro. Chas. W. Baker, of Gettysburg, Pa. Hereafter all communications, of every nature whatever, in connection with the PALM must be sent to him. The editortial work proper will continue in the hands of the editors elected at the Phila. Congress. The Fraternity may expect the greatest promptness as to the issues of the journal. It is the imperative duty of the Fraternity to do its part as well and as promptly. THE PALM needs at once 600 subscribers and such a general interest on the part of Alumni and Chapters as will result in letters and communications, giving news and suggestions in regard to brothers, methods and measures. We believe this year will witness the greatest prosperity which has yet attended the PALM, and that its efficiency will be greatly advanced by the business manner in which its affairs are to be conducted. The subscriptions from chapters and alumni for Vol. vi. are now due and should be sent in at once.

We mean business for Alpha Tau Omega this year. We have rested long enough on our oars after the victories of 18821884. Extension is the word. We do not care about a great number of chapters, but we do want chapters in every section of our country, located at points of influence. In this connection we believe the system of provinces would be most helpful. We should have at least three such divisions, each with a yearly conference. At our Biennial Congress, the representatives might be drawn from those who had attended the Conferences.