Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-30
Social and Otherwise.
IAll items of social interest will be gladly noted in this column if sent to Mrs. George c. Ball, 21s1 Highland avenue.J

tAll items of social interest will be gladly
 noted in this column if sent to Mrs. George
 0. Ball, 21s1 Highland avenue.I
 In delightful contrast in many ways to the Heavenly Twins'' is that fascinat ing novel, "Trilby,' by George Du Mau- rier, which has been ruoning for several months in Harper's Magazine. It is com pleted in the August number, and every reader regrets to lay down a story so ex- quisitely told, so vividly, so unconven- tionally told, that you feel that you have been part of the story, instead of merely a reader of it. "Trilby' shows the power of pure, unselfish love to elevate and make noble human life. It als gives very attractive glimpses of Bohemian life in Paris, also of queer people and strange in- cidents in the French capital; but all along, like pure, beautiful stream runs this story of love and faith. Du Maurier makes prominent in certain portions of the book the power of bypnotism, and he does it in a wonderfully effec- tive way. A few years ago Du Maurier wrote his first famous book, ''Peter Ibbit- sen, story of great in terest and giving evidence of very much literary talent on his part, and, like 'tTrilby," it dealt largely with hypnotic impressions. Both books have been great surprises, for, as you are aware, Du Maurer was not known to possess any unusual literary gifts until the writing of these two novels, fPeter Ibbitsen' and ''Trilby," while you know he was considered one of the most successful living artists in certain directions. He is wonderful caricaturist, perhaps the most distinguished one of our day. No matter what his artistic claims may be, the talent displayed by him as a story writer places him in the front rank of the present day novelists. If you have At fHrSl hxyt 1n # frau is ahead of you. From an exchange is clipped the following account of Du Maurier, which contains many facts of in- terest:
 ''Who is Du Maurier?
 "His given name is humorous in its longevity, and no doubt he thinks his pa- rents had rich vein of humor in them when they solemnly christened him as George Louis Palmela Busson du Maurier. He was born in Paris in 1884, and was edu- cated in the French capital, in London, Belgium and the Netherlands. He was ed- ucated as an artist, studied in the Latin quarter when it was picturesque, Bohe- milan sort of @ place, far different from what it now is, aud finally went to Eng
 land to live and become famous. He is the nearest type of an Anglo Frenchnien that can be produced. He is French by tenn. perament, English by selection and en- vroument, ard-s cosmopolitan by educa- tion. Although in his 60th year, he is well preserved, and his mental faculties seem to be more active and inventive than when he was young man. All of his as. sociations h the Latin quarter, the army of artists who have gone forth and made names, aud some who have not, are re- membered by him and deliciously described in bis novel of sTrilby.' Whistler was one of them, and he claims he is not truth fully described, but caricatured, lampooned and traduced. Those who know tue gro. tesque Whistler will, however, recognize the resemblance in Du Maurier's pen pic. ture.
 "George Louis Palmelle Bnsson du Mau- rier has managed to engraft Gailic hunlor on English absurdity, and has succeeded admirably. For many years he has been regular contributor to Punch, and In that paper some of h1s most famous caricature5 have appeared. The 'Postlethwaite' char acter he made familiar to a London public helped to add to his fame. He seized on the absurdities, the snobbish ness that pre- vailed in England, aud gave free vent to his genius in Punch. Who does not re- member his Gorgeous Midas,' the par venu suddenly become rich; his superb car- features of the rich ale brewers who have been knighted, and bis attacks on the asthetic craze about the time Oscar Wilde was evoluted from obscurity to long hair, knee trousers and the lecture platform? It was his brush that helped to laugh the Dsthetic craze out of existence, except with Il LEW pGCulldE pOUpt6 WuO dlWdJb ClluE with tenacity to the obsolete and go down to failure raving at the gross ignorance the public which refuses to take them seri- ously There is no doubt that Gilbert's model of Bunthorne was taken as much from Du Maurier's caricatures of e sthetic- short haired, long -trousered. somewhat obese playwright. /"
 Our people are coming home from sea- shore, from the springs and from country camps, refreshed and invigorated by the change and rest. Among the many who have returned, are Mr. and Mrs. John Tomliuson, Capt. and Mrs. John G. Smith, Mrs. Dr Lungquest, Mrs. Dr. R. s. Jones, Mrs. Jack Johnston and her family. It is very pleasant to once more see the lights gIesm from windows that for weeks, have our streets begin 10 look cheerful and &C., tive after the long, trying summer just past. It will be several weeks before our tourists will all return, but daily they are coming home, bringing accounts of their sojourus in other parts, and also a settled conviction that there is tho place like home,' if home means Birmingham.
 Miss Orline Arnold will probably return in day or two from her visit to Tennes- see. tAi-i
 MrS. w. Il. GraVeS anu the MlSseS Graves came home from Biount Springs ou Saturday. They returned early as Miss Mary Virginia Graves will soon leave Bir- mingham to enter one of the best schools for young ladies, either in Staunton, Va., ,, or Nashville, Tenn.
 Mrs. Winner Beard has been for several weeks in New York city and part of the time at Chautauqua, N. Y., enjoying the advantages afforded at this place of learu- ing.
 Mrs. Will Craddock and her children are spending some time at Mont-eagle.i Mrs. Craddock had been very seriously ill just previous to her going, and will no dnuht ha greatly henafited hv her trin.