The age-herald., 1898-11-13
--------------------- ZANGWTLL'S VIEW
 OF BIRMINGHAM
BY M. B. MAYER

Bf Ms t mAIEh
 It will be interesting to note in connec- tion with the visit of Israel zangwell, the London author and critic to this country, some of the impressions created upon him, which the reading public will no doubt have the pleasure of perusing in his own words in volumn he intends to publish on his return to England under the title of Studies in the States"
 While this book will deal largely with the drama, it Is safe to predict that he will not confine himself strictly to the dramatic art, but will also make use of his impress sions of the practical side of life in Amer- ca.
 While it has been said that he will profit by the misfortunes of his illustrious countryman, Charles Dickens, whose American Notes" might be properly termed a caustic criticism of our social delinquencies, and a thesis to prove the short comings of our cooks, yet those who had the opportunity of meeting Mr. Zangwill are inclined to believe that he will deal with conditions as he saw them, and will not confine himself to pleas antries to tickle the vanities of his Ameri- can readers.
 Dickens enmity to America has been at tributed chiefly to the fact that he was once kicked down stairs by an American Boniface, which prompted his wounded feelings to reek revenge with his pen upon the country at large.
 So far this element is wanting in the Zangwill makeup, and if he be lucky enough to escape the fate of MT. Dickens and return to England with his feelings" intact, his writing will be more worthy of the thoughtful consideration of the Ameri- can public.
 During his visit to Birmingham Mir Fang will visited Ensley and Pratt Mines and was greatly impressed with the wonderful natural resources as well as the industrial development of the district
 He was especially attracted by the con- vict system in vogue at Pratt Mines, where he had an opportunity to see the unfor- tunates at work and at play. so to speak, for during his visit to the stockades an impromptu musicale was given In his honor the star-performer being negro murderer, who made the banjo ring with old-time negro melodies. In speaking or his visit to the mines he said:
 "Your convicts seem to be well cared Tor, and comparatively happy. Their condition is far better than that of some of the resi- dents of the slums of London
 q was especially impressed with the light-heartedness of the negro, his seeming contentment with his condition, which he makes the most of. With the white man 1t is different; he Is constantly straining his energy to reach some material goal, While the negro Is constantly on the spot, and am inclined to believe that his ideal of life is correct. We cannot appreciate life unless we can sit down and commune with our souls, as 1t were; lay aside the material struggle for @ spiritual resi- in which we can call up the higher ideals.
 '@The race problem has a special interest for me, and while I know the views on this subject are radical in this country, I am not inclined to believe that they are cor rect.
 'I am told that the old negro women make splendid nurses for white children; and that the child's love for its black mamma, as they are called, Is often marked by deep affection. This is an argument to support the theory of the uni- versa1 brotherhood of man. Would it not be wonderful condition if all men could dwell together in peace? Il
 Mr. Zangwll was struck with the new words with which he met, and after making inquiries concerning them, jotted each down on a slip for future reference.
 The use of the word lick" as noun was new to him, and was called to his attention at the stockades, where one of the officials explained that certain convict had been injured by flick" on the head. MT. Fang will was nonplussed and asked what was meant by the word "lick," and on being told that 1t was a blow he carefully noted the word on his list
 The words "pompano'' and 'chert also attracted his attention, as well as others which he had never heard used.
 At the mines his party met Dr. R. M. Cunningham, who had heard his lecture on "The Ghetto" on the previous evening. Dr. Cunningham was introduced to MT Htng- will and mentioned that he had been en- frightened as well as entertained by the lect- ure, inasmuch as he had learned that "a schnorrer'' was not "a loud sleeper" but beggar.
 MT. Zangwill retorted with one of his ex- celent anecdotes, in which he showed that Dr. Cunningham was not the only person who had like impression of the word.
 Some time after the publication-ef my book, The King of Schnorrers,' he said, 1 ian old lady leased rooms in the same fiat l where I reside in London. After signing i, her lease she heard or was told that lived l in the flat, and, connecting my name with 1 my King of Schnorrers,' she at once sought 1 a magistrate, pleading that the King of | Snorers' had rooms near where she had | rented and 1t would therefore be impossible | for her to sleep. The magistrate at once | recognized the justness of -.er plea, and | promptly invadated her lease, much to her ! ease of mind"
 In his writings of America. his impress i sions formed during his visit to Birming- | ham will no doubt be mentioned, and it is i probable that the negro murderer, who so | plsasing,y entertained Mr. Zangwill will form rhe basis of character in some fu- | turn work of fiction from his pen.