The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-08

book, 1.-THE Greatest Thing in the World"
OF course, one remembers that Drummond
mad critics. and very probably they mad
their reasons. But in the words of Ian
Maelaren we find of him that without
pride, without envy, without sefishnuess,
without vanity. moral only by good VIII
and spiritual ambitions, responsive ever to
the touch of God and every noble impulse,
faithful. fearless, magnanimous, Henry
Drummond was the most perfect Christian
! have known or expect to see this side the
grave"
1.-THE Ideal Life" is made up of brief.
penetrative and profoundly earnest dis
courses. 1t opens with one on I'll Tenn
per-" conceived in the best spirit of the
author. Prof Drunmond possessed an Gag
er grasp of spiritual things and united as
it was with a firm hold on physical facts
his work proves of immense value. In
this chapter on I'll Temper" where he
says, Society is an arrangement for pro-
ducing and sustaining human happiness,
and temper is an agent for thwarting and
destroying it," he gives a fercible illustra-
ton from the familiar parable of 1.-THE
Prodigal Son." So different is 1t from the
usual discourse we are accustomed to hear;
for he says, "See how the elder brothers
wretched pettishness, expression of tenn
per, churlishness, spoiled the happiness or
a whole circle" This chapter alone Is.
worth more than the price of the book; 1t
is so beautiful, so full of the loving teach
ing of the Master, so full of suggestive
points as to the relation we bear as indi-
viduals to those near us and to society at
large. But the whole book. made up of
some fifteen chapters, is peculiarly sweet
and simple. It seems to be pruned OF all
conflicting dogmas and creeds and to go
back in its simplicity and truth to the
pure gospel of love, faith and obedience
as taught by the Master. His books VIII
Il fO~ nd Il
seems but fitting final message from
one so earnest-and pure-minded, and faith
full as Prof. Drummond
Just at this suspicious time when the
eyes of the entire southland are turned
upon the old, historic city of Mobile, 1t
is peculiarly fortunate that one of its ciu-
zens has but recently published an ex-
haustive and able history of the city, en-
titled Colonial Mobile" In this volume he
describes the growth of the city and Its
surrounding district from the discovery of
Mobile bay in 1919 until the demolition of
Fort Charlotte in 1921. The book is splen-
didly illustrated and Mr. Hamilton has
been fortunate in choosing fresh field for
his researches, and also, In living in the
very centre of his field. Mobile Is rich in
history and romance, and the opening of
her harbor and her growing prosperity
make fair her prospect of becoming great
maritime city The book is a delightful
revelation of things long forgotten yet
valuable from an historical point of view.
The author has devoted years of patient la
Dor to his work, and no source of informa-
ton has been neglected. Not only is Mr..
Hamilton conceded by many prominent
educators to posses the essential qualities
of good historian, but the bright and
attractive style of the author serves to
make his splendid history the most charm-
ing reading Its English Is pure and unde-
fled and the entire work will prove
splendid service to the state.
Molly Elliott Seawell has recently written
a most excellent book for the youth OF the
country, entitled Twelve Naval Captains.
1t is selection of twelve commanders VINO
had great opportunities, and were equal
to those opportunities from the long list
of brave and deserving officers, especially
during the brilliant period from li9S TO 1919.
The book opens with the romantic history
of Paul Jones, of whose thrilling record
Reniamin Franklin passed the following
brief eulogy, "For Captain Paul Jones ever
loved close fighting" Each biography mas
a splendid portrait of the hero, when aoas
very much to the interest of the book. IL
Ia written in Miss Seawell's usual concise,
simnle stvle. and will prove a thorough de-
light to boy readers, especially, ana, TOO
inst at this time when their attention is
directed to naval heroes, 1t contains vast
fund of information for which they are one
and all eagerly yearning. Yet, 1t is Written
so DELIGHTFULLY."- that older readers, as Wen
will find it entirely acceptable
IF Won cannot travel abroad the next best
thing is to read the travels of those who
have been more fortunate. Too many Iacts
and figures may prove tedious when read
ing of strange places In an abstract sort of
way: but when information is conveyed
in a gossipy interesting manner by one
who has leisurely visited these places, the
recital becames as absorbing as work or
fiction. "Scenes and Dreams in Other
Lands" by Valeria Lamar McLaren at
tractively and conveniently bound. is such
a volume. The author writes Familiarity of
Italian scenes and many other interesting
continental countries, closing the volume
by pensive reflections from bonny Scotland
the Land of Heather. There Is not only
a fund of information conveyed about vari-
ous peoples and cities, but the text is de-
lightfuly interspersed by humorous re-
marks and witticisms which add to the
shirt of the subject matter. The book Is
attractively written, the style Is somewhat
involved and not as smooth as the average
reader might desire.
Just ready is "rhe Story of Evangelina
Cisneros" told by herself. The introduce
ton is by Julian Hawthorne. Her Rescue
by Karl Decker, and the Illustrations by
Frederick Remington. Nearly every other
mage is illustrated in half tone and line
cuts: the book contains the best brief his
tory of Cuba, and her various struggles
VI '"'eie' PAUL PRY.
.a,,tp tn NATE