The Editor's Uneasy Chair.

Early in the year it was decided to make certain alterations in the "Spike." The chief one contemplated was the enlargement of the size of the page by about one inch in length and width—making the new page approximately ten inches by six and a half. It was also decided to adopt a rough cream paper for the cover, and to substitute of the Common Seal of the College, the College crest. However, on going into the question of cost, it was found that, as the price of paper had increased very greatly, the Executive would not be justified in making these changes, and we accordingly present this number to our fellow students again, to brave the light of day, clothed in its ancient vesture, and of its former stature. Nevertheless, the attentive student will notice crest in place of the Common Seal.

In the June numbers of last year's volume, we suggested that the time was now ripe for a change in the policy of the magazine. In the editorial of the first number of the first volume of the "spike," one of the aims of the magazine was stated thus—"to bring out the dormant talent, perhaps even genius, in both art and literature, that hundred University students." We thought that end might best the attained by bestowing a distinctive function upon each of the two yearly numbers, the suggestion being that the first number should be a "literary" number, and the second number should be an "official record of the doings of the College, and of all clubs and institutions in connection with it." Here again, but for a different reason, our hopes were doomed to disappointment. Until after the beginning of the term, at so low an ebb did the tide of College activities seem to be running, we thought that it would be possible to issue only one number this year. It was not realised until late in the term, that such a revival of interest in College life had manifested itself as would justify our embarking upon the experiment, that we have outline. We have therefore thought it only prudent to follow the beaten path for one more year.

There is one more matter, which, as gently as possible, but firmly withal, we wish to bring beneath the notice of students. It in this. In the present number of the "Spike" no student actually attending lectures, is represented by a single literary contribution. Now this is a serious matter. It is deplorable in more senses than one. While such a state of affairs continues, it is clear that the "Spike" is grievously failing at least in bone of it aims—that quoted above. We are positively certain that there are a number of students, who worship at the shrine of Melpomene, or light their humble wicks before the alter of Macaulay, and who could be of material assistance to us in the production o this magazine. But for some reason, such students resolutely refuse page 75 to submit manuscript. It is to the students, who are now attending lectures, that the "Spike" looks for support, and when were find that we have to look in vain, we cannot help feeling that the outlook is a sorry one. We appeal again to students proper to give this matter their earnest thought, and attention: we appeal to them to take to heart the generous spirit, and inspiring purpose of some fine lines by S. S. McKenzie, that appeared in the "Spike" for October 1904. The moral of these lines, though they were written for an entirely different purpose is very applicable to-day.

"O you who bent the gaze of clear young eyes,
In ended terms when Fortune's face was kind,
Upon the page lit by the cloistered glow
Of the bright Lamp of Knowledge,—will not you
Pass on what shed a grace, about your path
To other outstretched hands, before your own
Are folded past the power of giving aught?"