The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-02-04


tan is am article which all feminine readers
will thoroughly enjoy, and more than like
ly the majority will agree with the opin-
ions expressed therein It is prize paper,
the author having written the best paper
out of thousands of competitors upon the
interesting subject-"The Well Dressed
Woman and thereby gained the $3.50 prize.
In note the author says that it is trite
saying that this subject is continually in
the woman's mind but IL so, and sensi-
bly, and intelhgeptly treated as in the
papers submitted to him, it becomes a
credit rather than reproach Mrs. Annie
R. Ramsey is the winner, and the quality
of her article, both to thought, die
ton, and style, proves her worthy of it.
for 1t is sensible, practical and full of
suggestiveness.
One -dictum which will delight the woman
of moderate means is this: "Dressmakers
and their customers have still to learn that
a servie following of fashion is by no
means good dressing One who has found
for herself a simple and becoming style,
and faithfully follows it from year to year,
with just the least concession to innova-
lions, acquires a distinction and an ele-
gance none other possesses. There is also
a timely article upon NOTED Young Men
on the American Stage which is not only
readable but full of information. The au-
thor quotes merrily the old saying by DR..
johnson: "Players, sir! 1 look upon them
as no better than crea lures set upon tables
and point stools to make faces and pro-
duce laughter, like dancing dogs" To this
Mr. Herbert, In this article, replies, "You
who have sat at the matinees who have
seen Sothern gasp and roll his eyes, and
Miller prose, with hand on his manly
chest, leaning against a ray of moonlight,
and Hackett-you remember him as Ru
pert? (his hair naturally curly)-and Fa-
versham, to say nothing of Guy Standing
and Richman and Morgan. Dogs Ell! DIR.
Johnson; you should be bled for the
simples"
Among the Farthest People," by Will
liam Jameson Reid, is account of per-
sonal travel, with descriptions to delight,
even the most adventurous; fully Illus
trated, which lends emphasis to the weird
ness of the text. The editor of the Cosmo-
politan, John Brisben Walker has for
Years been agttating the subject of coll
lege education. He has made an effort to
have the subject "What order of studies
ds best suited to fit the average man for
his duties in the world of to-day?" dis
cussed by the heads of the great UNIVERSE
ties. The editor was unable to secure such
discussion by THE presidents, and he then
turned his attention to the students of
these universities, thinking that they
would not hesitate to weigh college condi-
tions on their merits and with sufficient
names 1t is rather remarkable that even
this proposition should have been rejected
The editor declares his purposes to have
the subject thoroughly discussed, If not
at the hands of those who should be most
able to consider 1t, then at the hands of
Others perhaps less able, but most inter-
ested in its consideration.
The best article in the Atlantic Monthly
this month is by the Boston historian,
James Ford Rhodes, and Is upon "His-
tory AS the author says, an old subject
which has been discoursed about since
Herodotus, yet to a sympathetic audience
a fresh treatment. will always gain hear
1ng. While he writes with admiration re-
spect, and love for the classical historians,
The compares and writes most entertain
ingly of the historians of our own day and
time. The article is interesting, we'll writ
ten, and full of thought. Tt gives the read
er a comprehensive view of the subject.
There is also an earnest appreciation Of
Mr. Stephen Phillips recently published
drama, "Paolo and Francesca" The au-
thor says that Mr.. William Watson had
eyes ITO perceive the dawning hope il the
fact that the youngest of our poets takes
this ancient story and makes it newly
beautiful, kindies it with tremuous life.
clothes it with the mystery of interviewer
delight and pain" OF THE work itself, the
reviewer says: Beyond the large concep-
tion and atmosphere of the poem, there
was its deep and sure reading of the hu-
man heart, and recurring felicity of
magically beautiful phrase, which left you
nothing for 1t but to think of Keats. You
beheld again the gift of fine things said
Internationally which Keats himself d.
vined in Shakespeare" Mr.. Stephen Phil
Dps, is we'll known, has served his own
hstrionc apprenticeship, which naturally
is the best training for one who under
takes dramatic composition. Mr.. Phillips,
although still young, has achieved splendid
success. and is meeting with universal
praise for his latest book.
review of the magazines shows un-
usual number of articles of every kind and
description upon that fascinating city of
the cid world, Paris. No doubt the expo
sition of 1900 is largely responsible for
this, for all the world seems on the qui
vive of anticipation over the glories that
are there to be. Books, innumeraIble too,
have been published this winter, which
treat of the city from every conceivable
point of view and time. In the present Gen.
fury, Richard Whiteing, the author Of
mo. 8, John Street." contributes quite a
lenghthy article entitled, paris Revisit
ed beautifully illustrated by Castaigue.
OF the French he says 80 this may serve
to prepare the way for my paradox. that
the French are really the most serious and
purposeful folk in the world-a great sad
race, too with a pessimistic bitter for the
subhavor of their national gaiety, as 1T is
the subfiavor of their absinthe. They put
onS their high spirits a garment, and
like the Figaro of their ideal, they laugh
aest they should Be obliged to weep" The
article is an exhaustive one, touching upon
the many and varied aspects. of this WON
drous people in their fascinating city. The
illustrations, too, are full of interest. and
fully serve to elucidate the vivid descrtp-
fions of the text. OF the great govern
mental machine, Mr.. Whjteing says that
1T is "a national invention. like the corset
and indispensable to the figure of France
1t keeps the country in shape amid a
Thousand shocks. This article is by far the
best one yet written upon this interesting
subject.
Mr.. e. Hough, the author of 1.-THE Story
of the Cowboy" writes a bright, pithy,
sparkling article upon THE West and
Certain Literary Discoveries" Like Caesar
in his famous Gallic Wars, he divides
America into three parts-the east, the
west and the south. These, he says, are