The age-herald., 1901-11-10


 Sketches of Alabama History is neatly bound volume which has recently issued from the press of Eldridge d Brother, afd which Is of special interest to the people of Birmingham and Ala bama, Its author is Joel Campbell Du Bose, NJ A, who has lived among us for so many years not only as an hon ored citizen. but as a valued teacher of the youth of the city. Prof. Du Bose's work has been anticipated for some time and now that 1t is published will prove a valuable addition to the former works on the history of Alabama. t..t-.
 In his preface he says: The author regrets the incompleteness that must necessarily attach to compilation so brief. His knowledge of human nature convinces him that the discussion of a few men and a few incidents with more than passing mention will create more abiding interest and subserve higher purpose than will a nasty treatice or many men and many circumstances. He has therefore attempted to make distinct the life and character of the master SplTllS whom ne ud6 bSleCtou " ANRA oc~eN the leaders in historic tendencies"
 What Professor Du Bose has essayed to do he has done well, but 1t is a ques- tion whether such sketches serve the public better than a history which gives the sequence of events and in which the continuity of the work gives more thorough idea of the development of the States history. Professor Du Bose has selected with great discernment and sa- gacity the prominent people and the leading events of the. States history, and has written about them in truly concise, yet most intelligent and compre- hensive way. His style Is fluent and easy and his mental pictures of people and events vivid and full of local col bring. However, to gain the greatest amount of good from his sketches the reader must possess some knowledge of the history of the State and It's devel- opment For this reason Professor Du Bose's book is rather supplementary to the histories of Pickens, Brown and Mill Ter rather than a text book that can be used at first hand.
 The sketches cover a comprehensive period from the earliest visit of Herman do De Soto, the Spanish cavalier, to Will liam Dorsey Jelks as Governor of Ala bama There Is, too, chapter on Ala
 
 at the close of the book which embodies chronologically, many of the most i'm portant events in the history of the State The book is we'll printed and very fully illustrated. which adds to the value of the text. There are a few errors, which will. of course, be corrected in the next edition. The entire work evinces great carefulness and thought in preparation and older readers as well as young ones will find pleasure as well as great profit in reading Sketches of Alabama His tory"
 One of the most interesting literary productions of the autumn Is the publica- tion of "On the Great Highway" by Jam es Creelman. Few people have the opportunity to view great events and meet the prominent people of the world as a journalist does. MT. Creelman has had exceptional opportunities and these together with extraordinary gifts has re- suited in a work that few men could have written. It begins with the Pope's bene- diction, and ends with President McKin- ley's departure, and throughout the en- tire work gives interesting and valuable interviews with the foremost people of the world MT. Creefman has had the rare fortune of not only witnessing but in taking part in many of the most ex- citing events of history, and his long ca reer of globe-encircling correspondent. and in this volume he narrates the most interesting and picturesque incidents. In his interview with Louis Kossuth this wonderful old man says:
 England Is a warning power She fs living on the capital accumulated in the past, and is rapidly using 1t up. Canada and Australia are sure to be senarated from the mother country, and not a drop or blood will be shed to retain them The two colonies have ceased to be a source of strength to England from a material standpoint India is her great treasure-house Your country is the one power that is steadily gaining strength Your greatest danger is your wealth. When nations become very rich they lose their energy and gradually drift away from their moral Aueals But if the experiment of government does not succeed in the United States it can not be successful anywhere
 "On the Great Highway" Is sure to be very popular book.
 Those who read MT. Richard Harding Davis's story in the August number of Scribner's Magazine called "The Dere- lict" will be interested in the theory re- gently advanced that 'The Derelict' is no other than the late Stephen Crane The drawing of the character of Charles Charming is striking prototype, 1t is said, of Stephen Crane in the use MT. Davis has made of thousand little de- tails of his peculiar career and his un- usual personality.
 A notable book of the past month brought out by L. c. Page & Co.,, is "A History of American Art" by s. Hart mann. valuable addition to the lit- erature of art, as the author discusses American art from various standpoints The painters, sculptors and ensrayers from the earlier period up to those of today are all represented. Mir. Hartmann lives in New York His mother is a Jap- anese as Is, reflected in his first name "Salokicha." His work evidences the artistic temperament of her people.
 The proposed St. Louis Exposition. which Is to take place in 1903, has called forth new field of literature which is just now making its appearance. "The Mississippi Valley issued by the River side press the last week in October. Is