Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-08

best advantage the grandest scenery and marvels of ancient and modern art. This journey was made in 1S44. In 1S46 Bayard Taylor, after returning home, willing now, with satisfied curiosity, to resume life in America, write Views A-foot," which has been issued the pres ent year in a new edition. In the preface to the eighth edition in 184S the author says "it was written during his wander ings-partly by the wayside when rest ing at midday and partly on the rough tables of peasant inns, in the stiffness of deserted ruins or amid the sublime soil tude of the mountain-top." Thus 1t is interesting to read the boyish work of an earnest, energetic printers apprentice, who was afterwards destined to so sue cesSful and brilliant career as writer and poet. Innumerable have been the pages written of Westminster Abbey, it's glories and traditions. Even the state ly and graceful pen of William Winter, though it may furnish delightful reading, fails to convey an adequate conception of the mystic grandeur and lofty augustneSs of the place. It is but the fulfiIlment of the canons of art that nothing but actual visual experience should be able in any way to convey inn pressionS to the beholder commensurate with it's splendor and vastness, that pleasure must always remain the delight full compensation of he who has foregone the dire extremities of the sea voyage for its attainment. Of the cherished poets corner conspicuous in which stands bust of our own beloved Longfellow, placed there by his English admirers. and which during the tourist season is never without its floral tribute from loyal Americans. The author says: "On en- tering, the first thing that met my eyes were the words Oh rare Ben Jonson, under his bust. Near by stood the monu- ments of Spenser and Gay, and few paces farther looked down the sublime countenance of Milton. Never was a-spot so full of intense interest. Every step called up some mind linked with the asso- citations of my childhood. There was the gentle feminine countenance of Thomson and the majestic head of Dryden; Addi- son with his classic features and Gray full of the fire of lofty thought. While looking at the monument of Garrick startled to find that I stood upon his grave. What glorious galaxy of genius is here collected! What t-a constellation of stars whose light is immortal! The mind is completely fettered by their spirit. Everything is forgotten but the mighty dead, who still rule us from their urns.'' No one can con this book without being fired with enthusiasm to go and do like wise and have such enchanting views a foot.'
 Among books of travel for the young folks comes a new work by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the very popular au-
 
 tie Saint Elizabeth" and others. Though born in Manchester. Eng, Mrs. Burnett removed when quite a child in 1865 to Knoxville, Tenn. In her famous juvenile
 ''The One I Knew the Best of All" the author gives in wonderfully clear and reminiscent way the experiences of her childhood, with it's sensations and emo tions as each new phase and problem of life presented itself. Though the author possesses dramatic powers in story-tell- | ing, and has written some powerful works of fiction, it is probable that her gallery of juvenile heroes and heroineS has won her a wider more extensive and | favored reputation.
 Disraeli has said no man rises higher | than his aspirations. and a beautiful les son is to be learned by children of a much larger growth in the SinglenesS of pur- pose. and fidelity to that purpose. as evinced by the heroic and intrepid char actors of Little Meg and Robin. Did we more often decide in life, whether in our | business concerns or our pleasures, what we most desired and really wanted, and | then worked unf1inchingly for it's con ion. who would deny the success and profit that would accrue?
 Two Little Pilgrims Progress" story of the city Beautiful. by Mrs. Bur nett. and just published by Charles Scrib- | ner's Sons. Is an attractive, thrilling sto- | ry of little Meg and Robin, 12 years old. | twins and orphans, who became enthused over the wonders of the Worlds fair. Just as they do in Venice, and 1t will | be the same with all the other countries. | It will he as if they were all brought | there-Spanish places, and Egyptian l places and German places, and French, | and Italian. and Irish and Scotch and | English-and all the others.
 "To go there would be like travelling all | over the woild.' cried Meg.
 Yes" cried Rob. excitedly.
 | Could there have possibly been anyone | in the United States who did not become | enthused over the wondrous Dream | City?" And yet I wonder if there were many who displayed the indomitable | energy in accomplishing the journey l there as the youthful Meg and Robin. Their orphaned condition obliged them l to live with their maiden aunt-unsym- | pathetic Aunt Matilda. However they | had had recourse to the cheering comfort | of each others company. and had val | iantly sought retreat where they might dream and plan a little work in the big, roomy barn. Here they deposited their | little savings and hallowed the spot by | naming 1t The Treasure" To this ref 1 uge they retired when the big. glorious l fair and it's delights enthused their youth l full minds. They first decided that there l is use in doing" and mounted the bottom l of the Hill of Difficulty and climbed | higher and higher until they found them | selves at the railroad station, every diff
 | culty overcome. and little note of ex- l planation left for Aunt Matilda; and.
 l though with only a few hard-boiled eggs
 l laid by their own chickens. they were
 l going to the fair. At the railroad station
 | the agent exclaimed:
 .I.m blessed if they are not by them | selves he said. watching them as they | scrambled up the steps. And they're
 l going to the fair, I'll-bet a dollar. That's
 l young America. and no mistake."