Birmingham age-herald., 1895-06-02
TREND OF THE TIMES.

portunity of their. lifetime pass unim- proved, little dreaming that the exposi- tion craze would grow to it's present eX- tent State fairs or exhibits are now magnificent affairs, giving much time and thought which materializes into big shows for the people. The Worlds fair was a mammoth thing, but think just in our midst now we are to have a regular meteor in the exposition world. Every advantage that can be given in the way of convenience is studied out and given to the best advantage; all the visible omissions of the late exposltions will be filled; in fact, the times demand that study should be made of this subject and all goodthat it contains brought out and shown fin practical way.
 The wonder of the age now is, can ex- positions be more complete in their va ried ways than they are today? No one is able to answer; yet each year and month and even each day brings new ideas and with them come new possibil- ities which were never dreamed of be- fore Wonderful age, wonderful men and kind providence bring big results to deserving people.
 Is everything becoming effeminate but the women? A young man who Is al- ways upsto date on dress came in Satuf- day from the Gate City wearing such medleyssof oolors that his young sister made some remark about the oddity or unfitness of the combination. He seemed to think to be or not to be in the fashion was the question. He wore a shirt col lar and cuffs of different pattern and color. So convenience and style have for once come to an agreeable understand ing, so HOW if one workman is little tardy, the usual dilemma can be tided over through mismatching.
 The girls, too, claim that they have but little to complain of from the present state of things; that their last years bangs can be converted into this years crimps and the back hair can be stylish ly made by initiating the mode of the country women before the war, and as to spring costumes few pretty shirt waists and new ties added to the winters supply of skirts will fix one for the sum mer outings with the addition of neat sailor hat. It Is not more than once Tn q, century that these two great planets come so near together as today. Style is a very brilliant planet at all seasons, but fickle as to position. Convenience is never so bright and is always found near us.
 Just why so many of our leading liter ary women have such queer ideas or so- cial and divine laws is quite a mystery. Last week Mrs. Frank Leslie, the edi- tor of so much good literature, was in- tervieeyed about a chance meeting which would possibly take place between herself and her former husband, MT. Wilde. "Oh, Willie and I are good friends. I am going to visit Mrs. Oscar Wilde, and he, believe, is staying there just now, but that doesn't signify any thing. Willie and I only made little mistake, which don't amount to any thing now" Only last week inquiry was made as to the smartest woman in New York I suppose it meant mental strength and Mrs. Frank Leslies name was conspicuous among the leading ones, and yet she considers the marriage vow a mere jest or an event of the hour,noth ing to give serious thought Yet she writes we'll on leading subjects of the times, and writes with masterly touch, showing the guidance of broad and we'll cultivated intellect
 George Eliot one of England'S great est novelists. had cranky ideas about matrimony It is said that theory and practice seldom unite.. George Eliot has many good sound marriages in her books, and some of them are really pret ty, but it was an omission in her own life. Her marriage VOW she considered sacred and kept, but her marriage was really not'one of law, but of love. She and tho man she married were alike great liter ary workers, and through their work they met. By former marriage he was debarred the privilege of a new mar riage but the sacred words were said in the presence-of the near friends, and so they were married. George Eliot is one of Englands bright lights that was al- lowed to burn and go out of it's own ac- cord. It was once the rule of England to kill all her smart and most gifted people. We have today many women who have as big brains as George Eliot, and we have hundreds who could enter the race with Mrs. Frank Leslie. The great progress the south is making each year, new women will appear in the lit erary arena. May they all be smart, womanly women, whose writing may last for ages and bear evidence of pure, good minds and hearts.
 All women make impressions. and the majority of them are teachers, not going out and teaching for price, but having by example and precept an influence which is perceptible to those around them. I trust that l. in even my small way, may never pen sentence that would shield from any of my boys and girls.
 President Cleveland conferred upon Alabama a well merited honor when ha appointed Hon. Hillary A. Herbert retary of the United States navy, ivr which we as a state are very grateful. For once it seems the right man Is where he belongs Comments have been com mon and poison-headed arrows have been shot through different departments, but I believe that MT. Herbert has just worked on and on and everyone is pleased. He is said to be the most con- servative man in the national family. He never-seems weary of doing what the people, who are ignorant of his real duty, require of him. "The Illustrated Amer ican' gives q two-page description of the secretary, with an ingraving, show ing MT. Herbert in his office, seated at his desk, with the indications of work on every side It is said that he lives a quiet lifejin Washington. He Is a man of simple habits who takes an interest in the pleasant home he. has near the navy