Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-03
Social and Otherwise.
[All items of social interest will be gladly noted in this column if sent to Mrs. George c. Ball, 21s1 Highland avenue.l

for sell reorganization and her friends for I great pride h the many highly compli- l mentary notices she is receiving from the critics of the country upon her book, "Paul St. Paul, Son of the People. I" 1 This novel has fared well with the rev iew- l CTS, who have praised it in some cases un- l stintedly. The AGE- HERALD has already l published a criticism of 1t from the able l pen of Paul Pry, so that shall not attempt that, but it Is pleasure to note the inter- l est felt in "Paul St. Paul'' in other sec- l tions. The New York World has just criti- I cised it, an unusual compliment to a young l writer. And the Chicago Saturday Even- 1 ing Herald of December 22 has review | of this book more than half column in l length. 1 cannot do better than to quote | portion of this very complimentary article: : "s Paul St. Paul' is truly southern. It 1 is more of Q dreamy, democrating revery | than story, flowing continuation of beau | tiful English language, although the plot l is not laid in America. From the glitter and tinsel of the theater, for St. Paul is an actor, one is carried into upper class | English society, and scenes of life are in- troduced powerfully, which the authoress in her youth would not seem capable of understanding, let alone point out so in- delbly. Ruby Beryl Kyle has promise great promise. If her initial story is not the outcome of arduous tolls of youthful effort she bids fair to be heard from soon again. There is enough material in this, her first novel, to compensate the wants of three. One weakness only can be dis covered, too many quotations are used; yet these are applied so adaptably to the story itself that they convince one of the writer's great store of memory. She IS evidently a great reader and admirer of ancient mythology, and she gives many similes of rare beauty.o
 This is high praise from critical journal and Is sufficient to gratify the ambition of a writer much older and of longer experience than Miss Kyle.
 The Old Homestead for December con
 tains two articles of interest to Birming
 ham readers. One is a poem-''A Tribute The Visitation'-by Miss Kyle, and the
 other is an interesting sketch of Prof. Fred
 L. Grambs by "J. L. W.'' In connection
 with the latter article is given very good engraving of Professor Grambs. The sketch
 is accurate in detail and says many compli- mentary things of Professor Grambs as man and a musician, and yet not one thing
 which will not be heartily indorsed by Professor Grambs' friends, students and fellow musicians. It is gratifying to know that his eminent musical abilities are re- ceiving such just recognition from the out side world.
 The Tuesday Afternoon Whist club was entertained by Mrs. J. M. Davidson. As it was New Years Day, after delicious re- treatments, dainty and lovely souvenirs, pretty baskets tied with ribbons, filled with candy and each holding card with the device, "Happy New Year" were given each lady. Mrs. James Weatherly and Mrs. John c. Henley made the same score, which was the highest of the after
 noon, and cut Tor the Pprze, ". which ,oa was exquisite vase.
 The Cadmean circle will meet Friday aft ernoon at o'clock with Mrs William B.
 Leedy, South Highlands.
 The New York World of Monday con tains long and graphic account of Robert Louis Stevenson's life, his death and the perilous funeral procession to his grave upon the mountains s top. From this let that the Stevenson family celebrated Thanksgiving Day in thoroughly Ameri- can style. Mrs. Stevenson, her daughter,
 Mrs. Strong, and her son, MT. Osborne, are American citizens, while MT. Steven son was. an English subject. At this
 Thanksgiving dinner there were only very few invited guests, and among the
 number was MT. William l.. Chambers of Alabama, who is land con-
 missioner of the United States for Samoa. How small the world seems when we read that an Alabama friend dined with Steven
 son in far off Samoa on Thanksgiving Day and was one of the last persons to enjoy his prncely hospitality. At this dinner Stevenson made speech, closing with these prophetic words: "With all these blessings to be grateful for, can, in grati- tude, meet the end when it comes.' .' After dinner such melodies as "Suwanee River," "Old Kentucky Home' and aDaisy Ben'' were sung by the family and guests. Mr. Stevenson dled only few days after this reunion.
 MT. William L. Chambers formerly re- sided in Montgomery and Sheffield, and was for several years president of the First National bank of Montgomery. He is a native of Georgia, but came to Alabama when quite young and married daughter
 of the late Judge David Copton of Mont gomery.
 Capt. B. H. Wilkins, who now resides in Nashville, but was one of the most popular citizens of Birmingham previous to his re- mova to the Tennessee capital, spent few days in town during the holidays with his sister, Mrs. $. P. Fowlkes. Captain Will kins is uow cashier for O'Bryan's Nash vile, one of the largest wholesale houses in the south. IL is an exceeding pleasure to his many warm friends to hear of his suc-
 cess and good fortune.
 MT. Joseph Rline of Atlanta spent several | days in Birmingham during this week, He returned to his home yesterday.
 Miss Rsbie Barney is now the guest of Miss Kate Morrow. She was with Miss Kate smith, South Highlands, during the first part of her visit to Brming ham, M ss Berney is receiving a royal welcome from her many Birmingham friends.
 Misses Rosalie Sayre and Nellie P. Will. | kerson of Montgomery are also in Bir- | mingham. the guests of Miss Katie Bell !, on Eighth avenue. Miss Sayre is daugh- | ter of the late Hon. r. Tucker Sayre, aud | Miss Wilkinson of MT. Thomas Wilkinson | all of Montgomery. Both these pretty, at | tractive girls are receiving much social at | tention.
 ',
 MT. Wilbur Brown of sewanee is visit | ing his friend, MT. Will Il. Johnston, | South Higblanos.
 l One of the most thoroughly delightful l entertainments of the holidays was the
 beautiful dancing party given by Miss Mary Virginia Graves to her many young friends on Monday evening. The hand l somely appointed home of her parents, Mir.