Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-21
LITERARY NOTES.

The Mid-Continent Magazine (new se- ries of the Southern) for May shows a distinct advance over any previous is- sue of this publication, and contains a great variety of good reading matter. Henry Watterson forms the subject of an excellent article by Morton M. Casse- day. MT. Watterson is certainly the most picturesque figure in American journalism, and has exerted an influence on social and political questions second to that of no publicist of the day. Many pictures are given of him at various ages, including some notable portraits by Irwin and Rohl-Smith Portraits of Watterson in company with Garfield, Tilden, Joseph Jefferson, Prentice, Hal deman and others assist the mind in grasping the vers tile, character of this notable publicist. A novelette,, "In- skip" by Edward Cummings, is begun in this number, to which Lyell Carr con tributes a fine illustration. The scene of the story Is laid in the south, and 1t contains many dramatic and thrilling incidents. The character drawing is true to life, written as it is by one lfa- milar with his subject, drawing his peo- pie as he sees and knows them, without prejudice or favor, without apology or exaggeration. Hon. Noble c. Butler contributes thoughtful paper on "The Gospel of Culture in which he dls- cusses the value of Matthew Arnold as a philosopher and teacher. The home life of the wealthy planters is described in an article on "Natchez Under the Old Regime" by Anna Gillespie Haydon. The number contains several short sto- rles. including "The Hanover Colt by Martha McCulloch Williams; 'The Anl- Der Tile,' by Claude M. Girardeau; '"The White Moth," by Lulah Ragsdale; ries by Jean Wright, and illustrated by Patty Thum. "Reminiscences of Sidney Lanier," by Alfred Allen, is narrative replete with new and touching incidents in the life of this great poet. A song by Lanier never before published and pic- lures of the poet at different ages give additional value to most interesting sketch. Why Authors Should Not Marry is discussed in manner to pro- yoke chorus of remonstrance from many who will not agree with Edward Strong in his premises or conclusions. The editor. George Braden, in "The Au- tocrat" discusses editorial dogma, the editorial conscience, the rights of the magazine reader and the literary possi- bilities of the interior. Poetry by Edith M. Thomas, Henry T. Stanton, Anna c. Bowser, Henry Coolidge Semple arid Meredith Nicholson complete an excel- lent number.
 Not since the flood so graphically de- scribed in the Old Testament has such a catastrophe as MT. Jean T. van Gestel relates been told by an eye witness. IRe eruption of Krakatoa swept out of exist- ence nearly 120,000 persons. Of this ter rife cataclysm MT van Gestel, the only living eye witness tells the story in the April Cosmopolitan. Lady Colin Camp bells interesting article English Coun- try-House Parties" is the first presenta- ton in an American periodical of an in- teresting phase of English life. No one could write with a better knowledge of the subject, or a brighter pen, than Lady Campbell. The last six pages of the April Cosmopolitan present a new feature which appeals to lovers of art. These six full page copies of six famous paintings of recent work reflect what Is being done in the world of art. The famous Spanish artist Cabrinety is again seen to advan- tage through his beautiful drawings as shown in Gertrude Halls clever story "The Late Returning" The Cosmopoli- tan is giving it's readers a thorough dis cussion of the China-Japan war. Gen. eral Lord Wellesley presented the first pa- per, and is followed in the April number by Hon. George Frederick Seward, for many years plenipotentiary at Picking.
 Short Stories has it's usual quota of good matter, the famous story being "Markheim," by Robert Louis Stevenson. F. s. Church furnishes good narrative called "The White Tigress,' and Ludoric Halery's society story. "A Grand Mar rage," will be much appreciated.