The age-herald., 1897-09-19

Every train is bringing home from non-affeeted elimes Brmingham's citi- zens who have spent the torrid months of July and August in Europe among the mountains, at the springs, and rsveling in the cool green waves of the Atlantic, the Pacific or the gulf. The lights gleam hospitably from the windows and doors of beautiful homes which have been closed during the summer; the grass has been mown in the front yards; the flow CTS are blooming welcome, and friend greets friend with cheery word and hearty handclasp. Everybody is at home or coming home, and soon the round of social pleasures, which make Birmingham the most fascinating place in the south, will begin. The churches will soon be filled with large congrega- tions; there will be hsard glorious sa- cred music from quartette and chorus choir; the literary clubs will be regu- larly organized for winter work; the social clubs will begin to issue invita- tiors to delightful cotillions, and the charming women of Birmingham will ere long summon their friends to teas luncheons and dinings. Birmingham is waking up, the summer is past, the gay, bright cheerful winter is at hand.
 livery one is coming home looking so well, so improved from their summer outing that the idea suggests itself that it would be well, very well indeed, if more attention was given to physical training by the girls and women of the city. It is a we'll known fact that one of the most certain cures for pulmonary diseases, in an incipient state, is regular, systematic exercise, under the direction of a teacher of discretion. Wheeling is a great boon to many women, but is is not so valuable as promter of good health as gymnastic training. Southern women are criticised for their lack of energy, according to a northern esti- mate. This is a grave injustice to the women of the south, for they are en- ergetic enough in matters pertaining to home and housekeeping, but they are not given to any regular, out-of-doors exercise, except bicycling. A few wo- men have become so aroused on the subject of athletics, that they have taken courses of physical training at Harvard and other universities. The ef- feet of such exercise upon these sensible women is enough to arouse an enthus- iasm in the hearts of every other young girl or woman. Birmingham should catch the athletic craze, for men, wo- men and children. It is one of the heal thiest, most wholesome fads of this faddy time.
 
 Next month in Paris thsrea will be ex- hiblted the largest painting of our Savior extant. It is the work of Jamss Tissot, and is pronounced a-4narvelous production because of it's great power and immense size. The painting will be placed in the chapel of the Dominicans, In the Faubourg, Saint Honore. The back ground of the picture is azure blue frightened by sprays of golden light. The Christ is represented at half length, with outstretched arms, as though ap- pealing ito humanity. The attitude of the figure and execution of the work is full of symb6.ical mysticism. The lips of the Savior are parted slightly; the eyes are dark, with questioning look, and the whole face is made gentle by tender smile. Behind the head is the triangle, embiematical of the Trinity, with white dove lowering near The lraperles are in the three historical pieces; first, the tunic. seamless and redish brown; then the Geba, or pure white linen robe. and then the white mantle of the old prophets one end of which is thrown over the right shoulder. The size of this picture can be somewhat appreciated when it is known that the majestic head measures six feet and six inches from the chin to the top of the forehead.
 The Women's Educational and Indus rial Union, of Boston, has leased two houses on St. Botolph street and pro- poses to attempt solution of "the great | American problam,Y the servant girl question.
 Miss Maria Danisll formerly of Chica- l 90 university has been chosen superin- 1 endent. One of the houses wiT be oc- l ,upied by "the family" which will con iist of limited number of boarders. | The other house will be for classes and | for houseIeepers and | terms that will be in- 1 listed upon in place of the usual mis- | ness and servant. This school will aim 1 0 increase the number of skilled wcslS- | 9rs, and at the same time promote a | nore intelligent relation between the l household employer and the employed.
 Especially is 1t desired to help to plscs | aomestic service on the plane of other | vacations for women. No woman WEI