Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-29

 Tenth and Eleventh avenues, South High lands. Telephone 9SS)
 The visits of Henry Irving, Ellen Terry and Paderewski to the south have ere ated an enthusiasm wherever they have been heard and seen. Large houses have greeted them in the cities they visited, and the criticisms of their work have been generous enough to satisfy artists with the most Unsuitable craving for ap- plause and commendation The number of people who went to: Atlanta and will go to Memphis from smaller adjacent cities and towns in order to enjoy these wonderfully endowed artists is an evi- dence of the earnest desire of the men and women of our section for what is highest and best in music and the drama. But there are thousands of the most cui- tivated people who find it inconvenis mt, and indeed impossible, to go to these larger cities to enjoy Irving, Terry or Paderewski, yet these same people would crowd the opera houses at their homes if these artists could be induced to visit our smaller cities, cities like Bir mingham, Montgomery and Mobile. AS is well known, any great actor rates him. self al such an enormous financial value that a lessee of a small theater cannot afford to secure him, knowing that the capacity warrant the experiment. But city like Birmingham, brimful as it is of people of education and cultivation, should have an opera house in measure commen- surate with the tastes of the citizens. If we had a comfortable. handsomely ap- pointed opera house we could secure very many of the celebrated artists who now pass by on the other side" There is not a community in the country which more quickly exhibits it's appreciation of great actors, actresses and musicians than ours or shows a greater familiarity with their history and genius. Such a people as ours would support season of the best attractions, and many of ths SC attractions will come to us when we have an opera house in keeping with the taste and refinement of our community. The improvements contemplated by pr. Whelan for the opera house should make of what is now a dismal, unsightly place a bright, handsome, cheerful, artistic building. which would attract artists and audiences alike. The community hopes for very great changes in our opera house during the spring and summer, and II these hopes are realized we may expect a brilliant season next winter Many of the celebrities who now ignore us will find their way to our city.
 From Tuskaleosa comes these admira ble verses and take pleasure in publish ing them:
 What Good.
 When joy abides in youthful hearts
 They sigh, yet ne'er despond,
 For pleasure snares them with her arts
 And thrilingly her lure imparts:
 Sweet joy lies just beyond"
 When manhood's eyes look love to eyes
 That with dear love respond,
 For or duty duty sterniy ] 1i whispers; HRise
 And strive; for joys beyond
 Age comes with weariness and pain
 And wailng cries: So blind,
 So blind l was. Oh, that again
 I might be young and love! But vain
 Is weeping-joys behind. a
 Death comes and stands beside the bed
 And drives away despair.
 Bends Sends low and breaks soltte lifes tortured
 Then falls the sod; then worms are fed;
 '' '''' ''' HENRY H. HEATH.
 Miss Mamie Pearson will entertain the Leap Year Card club this evening at the home of her parents, MT. and Mrs. R. H. Pearson.
 This evening the Phenix club will give an impromptu hop at their handsome rooms on Twentieth street.
 MT. and Mrs. B. F. Moore entertained a few of their young friends at a hand some dinner on Monday evening. After the dining the guests enjoyed many spir- ited games of cards.
 The Highland Book club will meet this morning at 1O:30 o'clock with Mrs. Jack w. Johnston, South Highlands.
 Miss Annie Bettie Allen and Miss Mary Allen, daughters of Mir J. G. Allen of Montgomery are the guests of their un-' cle Mr James A. Allen, Nineteenth street. north
 MT. and Mrs. Henry L. Badham enter tained a number of their young friends on Monday evening at their home on the South Highlands.
 Misses Luttrell, O'Connor, Ball and Cottingham leave Thursday for their re- spective homes, after a visit of great pleasure and brightness to their friends, MT. and Mrs. B. F. Moore.
 The members of the Tuesday After noon Whist club were the guests of Mrs. Thomas Ashford yesterday afternoon. The prize, a beautiful brass clock, was won by Mrs Webb Crawford. Mrs. Ash ford served very delicious refreshments after the games of whist were completed. The club will meet next with Mrs. H. K. White, on Seventeenth street, South Highlands.
 Mrs. Van Neste of New York, who has been the guest of MT. and Mrs. William l., Sims for several weeks, returned to her home yesterday. Mrs. Van Neste is a woman of such numerous attractions that she made many genuine friends dur ing her brief visit to our city.
 The following invitation has been re- ceived by many friends of Misses Ada and Eloise Johnston: Misses Johnston, at home, February 4, S:30 o'clock. Cards. Answer Enclosed are the cards of Miss Anita Bell of Mississippi and Miss Moore of Virginia, in compliment to whom the Misses Johnston will entertain on next Tuesday evening.
 Miss Bessie Sproull and Miss Annie Conner of Georgia and Miss Mary Jordan of Anniston are visiting Mrs. G. F. Sproull on the Southside.
 MT. and Mrs. w. l.. Sims entertained few friends on Monday evening at their home on the North Highlands in the most impromptu and thoroughly de-