The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-05

for the outcome of the summer; the pecu-
llarly trying position of the young instruc-
tor not yet dignified by the distinction of
professor, the opening reception, presided
over by a number of the professors wives
women of great diseernment in school and
intellectual matters, all form a pleasing
back ground upon which the scenes of the
story are laid. 1t IS a peculiar experience,
though. to read a piece of fiction which
does not contain single admirable charac-
ter. We are 50 accustomed to exaggera-
ted ideals in the portrayal of a hero or
heroine, that a candid description of char
acters which possess few lovable qualities
and many displeasing ones is a novel ex-
perience. The effect is a positive one and
rather gives to the story an appealing,
human touch 1T would not otherwise have
possessed. So natural are the character
izations that the reader who has been to
the summer school feels that they might
be the very men and women met here dur
ing the sumner. Just plain, commonplace
people possessed of the average amount
of good tinctured with the usual proportion
of selfishness, self-will and personal vani-
ty. 1t is difficult to decide whether the
authors point of view is from the stand
point of teacher or pupil. May be it is a
compliment to his art to say that he may
be the veritable young Mr.. Palatine or the
morose and self-centred Mr.. Gorch. The
strongest part of the book, however, is
its spirited conversation. The power of
sustained conversation, the most SUBJ
tie and difficult Accomplishment whether in
books or in life. If the author acquired this
delightful accomplishment at Harvard.
whether as tutor or student, surely 1t IS
once of the most desirable accomplishments
to be gained from this famous old univer-
sity Mrs Burdette. the wife of the popu-
lar lecturer Robert Burdette, in her al
together charming talk to the members of
the Wcman's club threw out most sug-
gestive idea in regard to the art OF CONVEX
sation; one which I venture had never oc-
CURED to many of us. And that was that
conversation is not discussion. This SIM
pie fact is evidenced in 1.-The Pedagogues,"
where the conversation consists mainly in
bright, sparkling ideas seemingly knocked
out in the contact of original minds.
A new venture in the journalistic field
was received this week. 1t is the initial
number of a weekly publication of Knox
ville Tenn, "edited and published by wo-
men chiefly for women, though the lords
of creation will by no means be ignored.
Aside from several ably written editorials
the chief attraction of the paper Is a snort
story entitled, 1.-THE Invisible Lady Mil
dred" by Virginia Resale Coke. Mrs.
Coke will be emembered as the charming
author of that altogether charming book,
'@The Embassy Ball" No-book of recent
years had a more pronounced success, or
was more 1aNOFdDlN GEcelNeu anu iCNIS"1u
than 1.-The Embassy Ball" Mrs. Coke is
a native Tennessean. At Knoxville she has
a charming suburban home The greater
part of her time however, is spent at East
Orange, N. j., where she is ever the center
of brilliant eoterie of literary friends.
''Egerton Castle" has written several
books but he esta b1ished his reputation as
a worthy writer of fiction in 1.-The Pride of
Jennico," which met with such a cordial
reception And it is safe to predict that
his new story, young April" will add
laurels to his fame
The best part of this good book Is the
charming dedication which Is too generous
to be withheld: ''I dedicate this book to
my wife, who by her constant sympathy.
with my tastes and thoughts preserves in
every month of my IRE rne rrceliHs',s -
Young April" -.
In this book as in its forerunner, there Is
rare degree of beauty and distinction OF
literary style One is not prone to pick