The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-01

nized as the most gifted bIack-and- white
artist of our time. He Is now exclusively
retained by punch" and the Graphic -
Sketching, he says, is much more serious
work than people suppose who say he
clashes off" his work. For every sketch
of his which is published, he makes a doz-
en studies which never see the light.
Speaking of Mr.. 1. Zangwill, a London
correspondent says that he is in danger
of losing the position as a novelist to which
he could easily attain, because he insists
upon being both story writer and lead
er of Jewish thought. A novel, he further
says, which tries to be something else
than a novel, is a mistake Even the geni-
us of Charles Reade could not combine So
cial reforms and story telling successful
ly, and it was only when he wrote a ro-
nance without any Interior motive that he
produced the one work that was wholly
worthy of him, 1.-The Cloister and the
Hearth"
There has been a great deal of interest
ing discussion as to whether Sir Walter
Scott or Charles Reade was the greater
romantic writer. Some have claimed that
an authors entire work must be taken
into consideration to judge of his ability
and standing. If so. Sir Walter Scott is the
greater. because he produced a great many
more volumes that are all able works and
enduring in their fame. On the other hand
this precedence is claimed for Reade upon
the assumption that nothing Scott ever
wrote can be compared to 1.-THE Cloister and
the Hearth" 1t Is undoubtedly one of the
finest pieces of work in the English Ian
guage, and those who have not read it,
cannot adequately know Charles Reade.
Yet. in reference to the reform propen-
sites, know of no work which is SO pow
erful and graphic a presentation of the
social life of the middle ages than this
novel by Reade. There is more accurate
information given concerning every line of
thought than many histories afford. and
no surer work can be secured by the earn
est reformer than to give a truthful pre-
sentation of existing evils.
Correspondents from time to time beg
for a portrait of Marie CorelIi. in whom
even those who correctly estimate her writ
ings feel a sort of gosspy interest. The
fact is, though, that Miss Corelli persist
emily refuses to allow any one to have
her photograph; she makes no exceptions
not even to her pleading publishers. 1t Is
said tho, by those who know, that Miss
Corelli is short, very dark, and with face
that is neither pretty nor plain, but has a
rather intense and slightly weird express
sion, such as one would look for In the
author of 1.-THE Sorrows of Satan" She has
deep grey-blue, eyes and arching brows,
and is famous for her beautiful arms and
hands. Her friends say that she Is an
accomplished pianist, an expert performer
ON the mandolin, and graceful dancer.
Mr.. w. e. Morris Is a novelist whose
works have given a great deal of pleasure
in their day, and after visiting him In his
home one can better understand the Sc
cret of their charm. correspondent
writes that Mr.. Morris looks out from his
study window on one of the most beautf-
full scenes in England, within sound and
sight of the sea- He occupies one Of the
most charming houses IN Torquay, and has
for near literary neighbors Mr.. miller
Couch and Mr.. Baring-Gould. Mr.. Morris
began his literary career about twenty
four years ago by writing for the "Corn-
HILL" Mr.. Leslie Stephen was the editor
at that time, and encouraged him to go on
writing He writes on an average one nov
ell a year, and employs secretary to copy
out his manuscripts, but does not dictate
his work. PAUL PRY-