Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-05
TOPICAL TALKS.

Col John M. Martin-Among the prom inent men that Tuskaloosa has produced is Bishop John H. Vincent, who is the founder of the Chautauqua and was it's leading spirit at it's recent session. Blsh- op Nincents grandfather was one of the Huguenots that were driven from France py the revocation of the edict of Nautes. The father of Bishop Vincent married Miss Raser, daug hter of 8. sea captain of Philadelphia, and with his young bride moved to Tuskaloosa in the 20's. John was born about 1850, The boy was con- secrated to the ministry, and had true principles instilled in his mind lie seemed to be pleased with the idea that he was going to be preacher, and he would often get up on a table or chair and preach to the other boys. II he couldn't get the boys to listen to him he would gather the little negroes about him and threaten to whip them if they left. Both the father and mother stood high among their neigh bors. While John was still boy his family returned to Penn sylvania. He had the opportunity of re- ceiVing college education, but refused it to go on with his work as a preacher. He afterward felt the need of regular course of study, and he mapped one out for himself. Then he applied the idea to the Chautauqua, and the result is the Chautauqua course, now so popular. Some 100000 readers have joined, and they are scattered all over the world.
 A few explanations will enable the reader to better understand the coming yacht race. The landsman can't imagine now a yacht can sail in the face of the Wind-he imagines 1t is done by tacking. The principle involved is the same as that brought into play when you press seed between your fingers and if pons out. The boat is between the pressure or the wind on one side and the water on the other. A good sail-boat can now De made to go in the teeth of the wind At this point the beauty of a deep keel isa seen-it prevents the boat from drifting 10 leeWard. The deep, broad keel of the Defender is one of it's main advantages The object of builders is to construct a boat that will sail nearest to the winds eye and make the quickest passage from a leeward to windward. It was In this feature that the Defender beat the Wig liant in the trial races. Any sort of a boat can sail off the wind-even a hull will drift before. It is the windward work that counts, and there's where contains thirty-two points. Only the best boats will sail four points in the wind. The expressions, on the wind off the wind, wind abeam, by the wind, quar- terly wind and running free. tell sea- man how far the ships course is from the eye of the wind. When the wind is coming from the southeast for instance, ship will be running free as she goes to the northwest and so on The new yachts have their bows and sterns heightened out so that they overhang, and this causes the craft to enter and leave the water easily. The Defenders sails are mainsail, fore-staysail, jib, jib topsail, gaff topsail, and balloon jib This is an enormous sail, and can be used only in light wind The spinnaSer is an- other huge sail, and is set when running. The setting of this sail forms a beauti- full sight. It bellies out with the breeze and causes the boat to jump forward like thing of life.
 Sad news comes from the Pacific slope regarding a young man who bears name dear to Alabamians. Dr. J. M. Sims, nephew of Alabama's famous surgeon, J. Marion sims has been com- mitted to the insane asylum at San Francisco. Young Sims was graduated from Poland Medical college four years ago. He was chosen as demonstrator of anatomy and was selected by the pro- lessor of anatomy as his assistant in many difficult surgical operations. He was establishing a fine practice when change was noticed in him. His mind showed weakness and he became care less in dress. Medical examination showed he was a victim of paresis and there was no hope of his recovery