a good deal too much of the desire to win "prizes" in
most of our local scholastic athletics which ought to be strongly
discouraged. It is regrettable to have to admit it, but I am persuaded
that if it should be announced that only ribbons would be given as
prizes at all future track-athletic games, five-eighths of those who go
into the games at present would cease to take any interest in the
sports. As a purifier of athletics I think the ribbon system might be a
good thing to try.

The Long Island Association, like its cousin on this side of the river,
has decided to adopt the Yale-Princeton football rules. This is
fortunate, because it will save considerable trouble in view of the
Inter-City games, and we should always be glad when we can get rid of an
element of dispute. For the Fates only know that there are enough
squabbles in athletics already without borrowing any from the colleges
or anywhere else. And, besides, the Yale-Princeton rules are the most
suitable for the schools in this section. In New England it is
different, for the presence and influence of Harvard there enter into
the question.

The St. Mark's eleven is making every effort to get into form for the
game with its old rival, Groton, and in its preliminary games thus far
the men have shown up well. White is a veteran, and is playing again at
full-back, where he did good work last year. The previous season he was
at quarter-back, but his punting makes him a more desirable man further
back. Nash is playing right half-back, and Captain Mills will probably
play left half. Nash is a new man on the team, but has improved greatly
since the beginning of the season. Hatch is another novice on the first
eleven, but had some practice at quarter-back on the second last year
which position he will fill on the first this year. In the line, Watson,
right tackle, Hare, left tackle, and Davis, right end, filled the same
positions last year. The new men, Watson, Egbert, and Humphreys are all
improving fast under good coaching, and there is no reason why the team
should not develop into a strong one at the end of the season.

The Connecticut League has been reorganized, and now consists of the
following schools: Hillhouse H.-S. and Hopkins Grammar, of New Haven;
Hartford, Bridgeport, New Britain, and Waterbury high-schools; and
Norwich and Suffield academies. The schedule of championship games
begins on October 26th, when Hartford meets New Britain, Suffield meets