Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-09

says: Tt is not very lively reading. but 1t is sound theology The symposium on warships has more go in it."
 This same "Ghost" remarks that Mrs. H. M. Clifford's latest story is entitled Dear MT. Ghost" and he very relevantly asks: T wonder if she alludes to me?'
 
 MT. John Kendrick Bangs, says a re- cent reviewer, is one of the most in- dustriouS of writers, one of the best paid and one of the richest outside of his lite rary work. He was left comfortable fortune by his father the late Francis N. Bangs, who was one of the leading mem- bers of the New York bar. Besides tis syndicate work, which Is considera ble. MT. Bangs Is the humorous editor of the Messrs. Harpers' publications, contrlbut- ing the greater part of the humor himself
 La Bruyere has said, "All the wit in the world is lost on him that has none." And sos if you have no humor in your makeup forbear from reading Mr.. Bangs latest work, "A House Boat on the Styx," being some account of the diverse doings of the associated shades.
 Some one has told us that Democritus, who was always laughing, lived 109 years; Heraclitus, who never ceased cry ing, only 80. Laughing, then, Is best, and if you want to laugh long and loud seek out some secluded spot, where your mer- riment will not be interrupted, and read "A House Boat on the Styx.' This is considered by many to be his most hu- morous production. As to that, one might add that '"The Idiot" is hard to excel in delicious, bubbling, effervescing pleas antry. In this later work, though, MT. Bangs has magnificent opportunity in the originality of the idea, and for this we must give him great credit.
 The work is aptly illustrated. That adds zest to the unusual quality of the text. Listen to just a page of the spright- ly conversations of the shades" from the neither world anchored in house boat on the river Styx. Lord Bacon enters the club and says:
 Did you send for me, William?" he asked, languidly.
 q did" said Shakespeare. "I sent for you because this imperial vlolinist here says that you wrote Othello."
 What nonsense" said Bacon. 'The only plays of yours wrote were Ham"
 "shr said Shakespeare, shaking his head madly. Hush. Nobody's said anything about that. This is purely a discussion of Othello."
 "The fiddling ex-emperor, Nero" said Bacon loudly enough to be heard all about the room. ''is mistaken when h. attributes Othello to me-"
 Aha, Master Nero.' cried Shakes peare triumphantly. What did I tell your"
 Then I erred that Is all," said Nero.
 And I apologize. But really, my lord" he added addressing Bacon, "I fancied detected your fine Italian hand in that"
 NO, had nothing to do with the Othello," said Bacon T never really knew who wrote it.
 "Never mind about that" whispered Shakespeare. You've said enough"
 That's good. too," said Nero, with g. chuckle. Shakespeare here claims it as his own"
 Bacon smiled and nodded approvingly at the blushing Avonian.
 will always was having his little joke" he said.
 "Eh. Will? How we fooled 'em on Hamlet, eh, my boy? Ha, ha, ha! It was the greatest joke of the century"
 "Well, the laugh is on you," said Doc tor Johnson. 'If you wrote Hamlet and didn't shave' the snse to acknowledge it, you present to my mind closer resem- blance to Simple Simon than to Socrates. For my part don't believe you did write 1t, and do believe that Shakespeare did. \ can tell that by the spelling in the orig inal edition.'
 Shakespeare was my stenographer. gentlemen" said Lord Bacon. eff you want to know the whole truth, he did write Hamlet literally; but it was at my dictation."
 q deny it," said Shakespeare.
 "I admit you gave me suggestion now and then so as to keep 1t dull and heavy in spots, so that 1t would seem more like a real tragedy than comedy punctuated with deaths, but beyond that you had nothing to do with it!'
 q side with Shakespeare" put in Em- erson. "Ive seen his autographs, and no sane person would employ man who wrote such villainously bad hand as an amanuensls. It's no use Bacon; we know a thing or two. I'm New Eng lander, I am."
 Well" said Bacon, shrugging his shoulders as though the results of the controversy were immaterial to him. 'have it so if you please. There isn't any money in Shakespeare these days. so what's the use of quarreling? I wrote Hamlet and Shakespeare knows 1t; oth- CTS know it. An, here comes Sir Walter Raleigh! We'll leave it to him."
 What's the trouble? asked Raleigh "Talking politics?" =,
 Not we," said Bacon. "It's the old question about the authorship of Hamlet. will as usual claims it for himself. He'll be saving he wrote Genesis next"
 "Well. what if he does?' laughed Rai- eigh. .,
 "We all know Will and his droll ways"
 "No doubt" put in Nero. But the question of Hamlet always excites him so that we'd like to have 1t settled once and for all as to who wrote It. Bacon says you know"
 q do," said Raleigh.
 "Then settle 1t once and for all. sald Bacon.
 'Shall I tell him, Shakespeare" asked Raleigh.
 .It's immaterial to me-" said Shake speare airily. "If you wish. Only tell the truth"
 Very we'll" said Raleigh. lighting cigar.
 q am not ashamed of 1t. I wrote the thing myself"
 Many of our most cherished and rever- ed authors figure in this very social but disillusioning way, and the entire DOCK IS Q great treat. PAUL PRY.
 GREAT EXCITEMENT.