Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-01

it was not creative in architecture, paint ing, sculpture and poetry, it could at least decorate. If it did not seek the beautiful, it found le joi." Scherer as the literary critic has characterized all his work with seriousness and sincerity, and the con science of the intellect was ever alert.
 Then oflow chapters on the poetry of Robert Bridges of John Donne ana Goethe's "Wilhelm Meister," that mas terpiece which has received such diversi- fled anathemas and f1orid encomiums. Like some enchanting romance do we read of the "Friendship of Goethe and Schiller" a friendship between these two master minds remarkable for its depth and purity-great spirits of oppo- site types-and 1t lived and bore the rich est and most abundant fruit. .-=r- f, Reading" Edmund Burke wrote in a Liter Of advice to his son, and much reading is good But the power of di- Versifying the matter infinitely in your own mind and of applying it on every oc- casion that arises is far better; so don't suppress the vivida wis" This is rich and rare counsel and he who digests the knowledge and erudition found in New Studies in Literature may well feel equipped, and with the spirit of life strong within him go forth and conquer.
 It may seem a long and perilous leap rom the CluuleS to lIle llllle 9llUNbl- cite" which follows in this review of what is new among the books, but "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" and so it follows that Ministers of Grace" will serve worthy and merto- rious office in furnishing relaxation and withdrawal from self while tense nerve centers and flores are rested and re- newed. Not much of the precious "gray" matter need be spent in the ef- fort of perusal, and that alone counts for something in this eternal struggle and crushing contest for the survival of the fittest."
 In Harper's Little Novel" series one quite above the average is Eva Wilder McGlasson's Ministers of Grace" The scene of this bright little novelette, is laid al a summer resort, some one of our many charming seaside resorts, and the action occupies but a few weeks from out the summer of this giddy mad whirl of fashionable society to evolve and decide the destinies of at least two young couples.
 Oracle Gayle. young Irish soubrette, who has worked assiduously and won fame and affiuence. is depicted with graceful, exuberant vivacity, and her truthfulness and graciousness of heart are fittingly rewarded by an upright honest manager" (of the stage of course) for husband.
 Elizabeth naturally claims the lions share of the readers interest and atten- tion, though the sad, desponding daugh- ter of the old minister gives the reader quite a felicitous and happy shock in the closing chapters. Then she. too, is happily paired off with a jaded. over worked young newspaper man. who has sought relaxation and renewed vitality in the invigorating sea air.
 The main interest, however, of the book to the thoughtful reader is the strong contrast, very forcibly drawn, be- tween the aged, but vigorous-m minded, old clergyman, Rev. Thomas Ruley. who long enjoyed the inestimable privilege of a pastorship of flourshing church in Indiana, but whose flock, tiring of the strength and powerful force and vehe- mence of his doctrinal utterances. sought relief in a younger man, the Rev. Fred eric Clinton Graham. likewise laborer in the Lords vineyard, but, as the reader is assured, blessed with fruitful ingath- ering." Young Graham is supposed to represent one of that class of "up-to- date" young ministers who are liberal- minded and whose piety is of a gladsome order. Listen to his own ideas: "Oh, I'm popular" smiled Graham. I'm power with t.sr. -oung men-the hardest nuts a rofl the othetn crack. I reach them h innings bill to ls one familiar in the Tl.ay sound that the represenleand not so