Birmingham age-herald., 1894-11-14

All Done to Feed the Vanity of the Leo
 Hunters-A Process of Social Torture
 Which Makes Many Men of Genius Mis-
 erable.
 Formerly the lions in the amphitheater ate the Christians. Now the so called Christians eat tho lions, mangling them first. They live on lion. It Is a lonely trade among the tribe, for no one lion hunter loves another lion hunter. The Mrs. Lion Hunters of fashionable fame have enormous capacity for their celebrat- ed food. There is not much left after they are through for the poor little hunters, and consequently there are fights sometimes, called rows. and now and then lion food disagrees. It does not always assimilate, especially after the lions leave.
 To be king of genius is pleasant no doubt, to have instituted right to the royal succession, to be unhesitatingly crowned, to be that especial appanage of royalty, fiatterers kneeling at ones feet, is an agreeable recreation. No one would willingly decline the scepter. Poets mu- sioians, idealists, love f1attery. We all do. The human mind can bear great deal of it. But kings arc sometimes allowed to eat alone. They have their hours of retir acy, but how many hours arc allowed to the kings of genius? Read the letters of Dickens and see how he detested the lion hunter. Just ready to die of that over wrought brain which gave up its lifeblood that we might be amused, we selfishly de- manded those sacred hours which he should have given to repose for the qualification to our overvanity that it might be said be was to be seen at our parties.
 Mrs Leo Hunter-his own immortal creation-stands as the head of class of whom we have many examples, class who deserve such an appellation and DOT traiture.
 There was once town named Bugaboo, where resided woman who had such an appetite for lion that she became the vic tim of anecdote and parable, and sarcas- tic neighbor of hers said: Why, if Goethe should come to Bugaboo, she would say if she met you in the street: Come in this evening. Wolfgang is coming.
 In thus calling the lion by his Christian name this intimacy, which such phrase indicates, is part of that assumption for which Mrs. Leo Hunter is famous.
 The great man is her intimate friendl Women are weak on this point. They like to shine with reflected light They are anx- ious that other women should sec them admired, followed, flattered.
 Many of them are content with this re- fleoted glory. If they cannot stand in the real sunshine of a real celebrity, they like the glitter of a tin reflector. Anything is better than nothing. A tallow candle can cast a glory. The fate of a prima donna who has the charm of social aaaptability and Whe~ does not eat with her knife is pshard one. Every one wants her for a ball, dinner, tea or breakfast because some body else has had her. The actor or ac- tress who can claim the distinction of the salon has to keep book. There is ru- nor that Irving said he was engaged evr cry Sunday for two years" !" but jovial act tors are not famous for keeping their en- agreements. When Mrs. Leo Hunters grow too intensive, they shake a mane and scatter their admirers as the real lion shakes off the dewdrops.
 The musical lion is very much to be pitied animal From the appearance of Paderewski's mane (some one said he looked like a new variety of chrysanthe- mum), he has evidently not given away many locks of his hair, but he has been bored When he wearily goes out of the Auditorium theater at Chicago with 50 young ladies following him breathless with adoration, how pitiably he shows dis gust and fatigue! His very trade requires repose and solitude. He is composer Ho needs his leisure hours to himself, but when once the prey of Mrs. Leo Hunter woe be unto hinl He must be chained to her chariot when she drives abroad, and he must play for her when she wishes. The lion is of no consequence What does she care for him? But Mrs. Leo Hunters vanity is of much consequence, and it must be fed.
 Great geniuses know that they must work for popularity. All have heard of the early starvation period, when the artist must learn to do his work, how to secure patrons how to bear neglect and how to use success. In those dark hours does Mrs. Leo Hunter go to him, encourage him and invite hima Alas mol Never. Until he has conquered he is not asked to har cnirnnc h, thnse dark days ha did not