Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-12

The greatly enjoyed lecture of Hon. John M. Martin, delivered last Friday af- ternoon before the lyceum of Powell school, the Cadmean circle and a number of other citizens interested in literature and art, caused the suggestion to be made that similar treats might be frequently indulged in If the various literary clubs of Birmingham would adopt the follow ing simple arrangement: Occasionally, say every two or three months, the clubs could invite some cultivated, interesting man or woman of our city to lecture be- fore them Of course this would necessi- tate little or no expense to any organiZa- ton, as many of our eloquent, brilliant men could be induced to accept the invi- tatiOn to lecture without any remunera- ton. The compliment intended would no doubt be highly appreciated by them all These consultations of our clubs at inter- vals would engender the kindliest inter- est one in another and promote the broad est sympathy in the entire aggregation, besides improving and cultivating us all by the hearing of lectures carefully pre- pared upon subjects of literary inter- est or of vital concern to reading, think ing people. This suggestion impressed me as one which will meet with the ap- ~proval of every club woman, young or old, in Birmingham. It came from the president of one of the largest literary circles in the city, and doubtless will be indorsed by all. If the different organiza- tions will act immediately upon this idea and arrange to bring about occasional meetings of this kind we could make the experiment immediately after Lent. The gentleman selected to deliver the first ad- dress or lecture should have sufficient time and opportunity to prepare himself for the occasion, so that an early action on the part of the various clubs should be taken if the suggestion Is adopted.
 
 Speaking of such things, we are remind ed of how many good things we Birmng- ham people have missed this winter how many stars, dramatic and musical, have passed us by. Besides the great lumina- ries, who do not yet know that we have n splendid growing city, full of brainy, up- to-date people, there are many lesser lights who have entirely ignored us Among the latter class Is Hopkinson Smith. author of "Colonel Carter of Car tersvlle" and other eminently good sto- ries, who has been reading from his works in certain southern towns. There seems to be no good and sufficient reason for this. Such talented men would al- ways find large audiences awaiting them, and appreciative audiences perfectly fa- miliar with their writings. The Boston Advertiser thus describes Hopkinson Smith and his readings:
 MT. Smith is typical southerner in appeara finely formed, with gray moustache, he makes a favorable impression instantly. His manner of reading is characterized by restless en- ergy and an abundance of gesture, which are very captivating. The clearest and keenest intelligence and good taste char acterize MT. Smiths style. His selections were taken from his clever story, Colonel Carter of Cartersville,' a story so well and favorably known as to almost enti- tie 1t to be called famous. The true south ern aroma floats from every sentence The gay, light-hearted, lovable irrespon- sibillty of the typical southern character is reproduced with such fidelity In Col onel Carter as to make him seem not a type, but an individual"
 The proposition of my judicial friend, Resolved, That the willing husbands shall escort the willing wives of Birming- ham to any social functions to which they may be invited" which was pub lished, with comments, on Sunday in my columns. has awakened widespread in terest in our community, because it touched the lives of so many men and women. The following letters are indica- tive of the impression it produced in diff ferent persons. They are coming from men married and men unmarried; wo- men who are welded and women who are still unyoked to any authority save that of their own free, sweet wills, as care