Birmingham age-herald., 1894-11-25
GOSSIP FROM BOOKLAND.

. city the past two weeks have been the horse show at the Madison Square garden and the exhibition of beautiful women at the Academy, and he Is not altogether sure but what the horse show has been the greater success of the two, insomuca as the portraits do not reach the highest standard of attractiveness, and be thinks the collection not at all representative of the beauty of American women; while the members of the equine Four Hundred are hooded, padded aud booted in their stalls and are the finest to be found Tn the land. The initial horse show was held abo ut twelve years ago and has proved greater success each succeeding year.
 Though Nym Cfinkle also very perti- nently remarks that 1t Is not the horses the feminine world has gone wild over, al- though they thought. it necessary to insist 1t WAS the horse that attracted them, but in reality each hal come to see and be seen, wearing the most bewitching ol costumes gotten up for this especial occasion. "Hu- man nature, when 1t is we'll dressed, must always be nore interesting than horses.'
 aPalmer Ccx's Brownies" is having a tremendous run at the Fourteenth Street theater in New York, and Is not only glv- ing untold amusement to the crowds Of little folks, but entertainment for those or an older growth also. All of us love the little Brownies and find it hard to realize they are the creation Of man who stands foot In his stocking feet. In Mir. Cox's studio, ''Brownieland, '' his choicest treas- ures are the little letters he has received from children all over the world.
 Theodore R. Davis, for so many years connected with the illustrating department of Harper's Weekly, and who acted as war ar, ist for Harper during tue WIT, died at his nome in Asbury Park recently.
 Mr. Davis illustrated most of the great battles of the war. Ills was the first and best picture of the Sea ght between the MerrImac and Monitor.
 Speaking Of the advice Grant Allen gives to young aspiranis for literary distinction, l came across the following:
 .tW ho fainteth hear in the mart, forlorn, While men stand chaifering byf
 Go ask his trade: '' "A poet porn,
 ''w hat haIn he tu sell-coal, cotton, or corn9" "Fair thoughts.'' "Then let him dle.'
 Grant Allen, in he Academy.
 Hall Caine's new book, "rhe Manx- man ,'' has had the distinction bestowed upon it to be selected for dramatization, and Wilson Barrett is coming to this coun- try to take the leading part, Philip Christ ian Deemster oi the Isle of Man.
 Speaking of Theodore Childs' new work, "W imples and Crisping Pins, recent reviewer says: ''it is not a protest against artificIality in disguise; it is not theory in pretty gown, nor homely homlly under a veil studded with gilt stars, but an honesG review of the art in dress of head and face of women of all ages. It is a delicate work, done by writer who knew how to touch book bindings uf the renaissance, etchings by Buhot, faces, yellow as the leaves in the fall and other pretty things.o
 The Napoleon craze is now being adapted 10 children, and the lateht news is that "St. Nicholas IS to have story lie o1 Napoleon. It is called A Boy of the First Empire, and is by Elbridge B. Brooks. Its hero, French lad :, renders service to Napoleon, who makes him page and finally an aid. As such he accompanies Napoleon through his great campalgns- saie. ;s he founded upon the best sud latest authorities.''
 A most interesting "Life of Booth" will now appear, Written by lis daughter, Mrs. Grossman ,sand she reveals many of the domestic and personal traits of the great actor. e f
 Mrs. Grossman says that she has often been asked. what was her fathers favorts character. She says: 'He was undoubt- edly more in sympathy with the character of Hamlet, whicn was generally accepted as his masterpiece, but l have heard him say that it was not the. character he most eD1OySQ HCIlUR. 1dulleb DSinS ldiBSly III monotone, think he found certain re- lief ia more robust parts."
 The book will soon be published by the Century company.
 Speaking of Edwin Booth, it is related 'tthat when Barrett was manager the com pany were all strangers to Mir. Booth and were nervous over their first rehearsal. But they had gone along very smoothly through the first scene of "Hamlet, ,' mh Hrr nOaaiblV nt of lingering nervousness, made slight mis- take in reading the lines
 .. Good night, sweet prince,
 Anu fiightsof angels sing thee to thy rest"
 'He had gone as far as Good night, sweet prince, and fiocks of angels'-when Mr. Booth, who had moved away from his position h the scene and was about to leave the stage, turned quickly, and with an exc uisite gleam of humor in his face and a merry ring Tn his voice, exclaimed: 'Flocksl Flocks of geese' The correction was so deftly good natured and the man. Ter so cordial that Horatio, far from being hurt by the realization of his blunder, joined heartily in the general laugh"
 
 Hamilton Wright Mabie is graduate of Williams college and the Columbia Law school, and the associate editor with Dr. Lyman Abbott of The Outlook. He wrote a splendid article in the December, 1893, Forum, rThe Most Popular Novels in America, Lin which he.says:
 "The Scarlet Letter. is beyond doubt the foremost story yet written on this con- tinent. The Marble Faun' follows close upon it's greater companion.' MT. Mabie is an occasional contributor to the magazines, and lecturer on literary and social subjects. He is also the author of these delightful literary meditations, My Study Fire.'
 In the second series of ."My Study Fire' Mir. Mabie dscourses very suggestiyely on the subject of" "Enjoying One's Mind.'
 uSometimes, beside the lamp at even- ing, the book closes in the hand because the mind swiftly flies from 1t to some dis tant and splendid outlook; or, on the soli- tary walk, the man stands still with beat ing heart because the mlnd has suddenly disclosed another and diviner landscape about him,''
 Wordsworth found imagination and sentiment in his mind, as did the beauti- ful singer upon whom the laurel next des- oanded