Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-12

graduated at law many years ago, and was of much assistance to her young husband when he first began his politi-s cal career.
 MT. and Mrs. Bryan have three chill dren, the eldest Il years of age, the youngest 6 years old. Everything that pertains to the wife of so distinguished man will be eagerly read, of course, for besides our natural curiosity regarding such matters, we cannot rid ourselves of the old-fashioned idea that the mothers and wives of notable men have had their share in shaping the lives of these sons and husbands. In many cases this is not true, but generally it is safe con clusion to arrive at.
 While touching in a remote way upon matters political, can any one tell why in the light of history, the wise men of the east, who, like the magi of old, came recently across the desert of povety and distress bearing gifts of gold, etc., should have referred to sneeringly dur ing the past few months to the men of the south and west? There have been only a comparatively few years in the history of our nation when the south did not dominate it's legislation and direct It's policies. And the events of the past week prove that we have again taken our position at the helm and propose, as of yore, to do much of the steering.
 
 people in the wood cuts of the northern journals as poorly dressed, careless as to the needs of a barber and altogether provincial and unl<empt. This may be form of humor, a kind of harmless joke, but it indicates a gross and unpardon- able ignorance on the part of the car toonist. A trip through the south and careful study of American history would be an improving way to spend the sum mer for many a newspaper correspond ent. It might explain some of the riddles that are puzzling today the tired brains of eastern political manipulators. We are not a race of dudes, nor are we a people of limitless wealth, but the southerners have retained their honor and their man. hood through all the direful stress and strain of the past few years, and the near future holds it's rewards for us. Strange as it may seem, even some Vir- ginians, who have never visited the far south,' as they term our immediate sec tion, have very erroneous ideas or how our people as class really look. re- member being once at one of the fashlon- able resorts in Virginia, where there were charming people from all parts Of the south. At our table sat several de- lightful well informed Virginians who were discussing a late arrival, whom they decided had come from the far south,' because of his appearance. Judge of my impression when I espied the gen
  very dark, very cadaverous, very thin and very Tagged. He was nicely and ap- prop-iately dressed but looked as if he was just recoving from prolonged spell of typhoid fever, and yet he was type of this, the far south,' to cultivated men and women from other portions of our section.
 The decision of MT. Charles B. Rouss to leave to g. committee the location of the Battle Abbey, and to adhere to his first proposition of donating $100,000 to the abbey, provided the south raises an ad-- ditional $100,000, will meet the approval of every one interested in the scheme MT. Rouss was assured few days ago that the people of the south would never consent to locate the Abbey north or Mason and Dixons line, and that they could not raise more than the $100,O0O as their proportion of the amount needed for the erection and equipment Of the ab- bey. Mr. Rouss, upon hearing these things, immediately consented to allow the committee to proceed as they deemed best in the premises. This will give us the Battle Abbey beyond the peradvent- ure of a doubt and before very long.
 
 The international Christian Endeavor convention, which has been in session during the past week in Washington city, and which was the largest convention ever held in this country, will adjourn to- morrow night The sessions have been of acute interest since the beginning, and much good is expected to result from an interchange of thought and sympathy with these earnest workers.
 Miss Fannie Edgar Thomas, a gifted American woman who has won fame in Paris as a musical critic, has been ap- pointed by the French government an Officier d'Academie. This is the first time hoe ,fDs an American woman. She was recom- mended for the decoration by many of the most celebrated French musicians in the following letter:
 "The essays which Miss Thomas has sent to America during the past year have assumed such importance that they are frequently reproduced in our weekly papers, and have attracted the attention of musicians.
 Not only has Miss Thomas succeeded in penetrating the musical spirit of France, but she has done it in so courte- ous a manner that she is already the friend of our celebrated artists, whom she is making appreciated in America. where German art has heretofore been predominant.
 established in Paris scarcely year, she has already grasped the beauty of our musical art, thanks to an intelligence and largeness of idea by no means com mon. The enthusiasm which is to be found in each of her letters is joined to grand sincerity. The praise which she bestows on our country will have an im- portant influence upon Americans and upon music.
 we find Miss Fannie Edgar Thomas worthy of recompense which shall be to her an encouragement in her labors, and we beg for her the decoration of Officier d Academic"
 Miss Thomas wrote recently to the Musical Courier the following letter, which was intended to be helpful to Americans who go to Paris to study mu- sic with a view to an operatic career. She says:
 Let an American of enterprise insight and tact come over here select from the different vocal schools sololsts, men and women, who are supposed to be ready for career debut; let him organize them into a troupe, pay them regular sala- ries and take them over to America as an exposition of what American students are doing here that could not be done at home.
 Ask any of the teachers here, Can you teach pupils to swim?' they say, oh, anywhere over the riverp
 "They teach every language, every school of repertory, every style, every mower oratoriO, concert, song, acting,