The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-03


Fort Worth, Texas, and edited by Mrs.
Henrie German, is most creditable
magazine, having among its contribut-
ors Samuel Minturn Peck, VIII Allen
Dromgoole Martha Shepard Lippincott,
Josie Frazu Cappleman and other writ
ers of note.
Men and women of the Craft" is con-
Quoted by Carrie Smith Mahoney, of At
lanta, and among those she discourses
in her department are Joel Chandler
Harris, Sarah Barnwel Elliott, Robert
Loveman, Helen Gray. Isma Dooly, Madi-
son Cawein, James Whitcomb Riley, and
Ellis Meredith. literary editor of the
Rocky Mountain News, published at
Denver and author of 1.-THE Master
Knob of Human Fate"
Two Birri. CHAM women are contrib
utors to the midsummer issue. Miss
Willie Aliens dramatic poem, 1.-THE River
Pass" has a place of honor, and Miss
Mary e. Rittenberry contributes short
criticism on Some books I have read"
"The true test of books greatness"
writes Miss Rittenberry, lies not in the
of volumes read, but in the num-
Der of years in which they are read.
Many books are interesting, but few are
lastingly interesting" 1.-The survival Of
the fittest'' is applicable to books as well
as men. The book whose interest In
creases or remains the same as the years
increase Is truely great-great in Its uni
versatility To do this characters must
be able to live in any cline and at any
place, and act from the motives that
prompt mankind in generai. The seem
cry, costuming and incidents may be Of
any age and in any place, but the acts
of people, of fiction, must be the natural
out growth of the motive that prompt
them These motives and resultant ac-
lions are universal. but the manner Of
expression differs as ages, places and
civilizations differ.
Shakespeare was one Of the greatest
writers, decidedly the greatest writer OF
English, the world has ever known. His
would have been just as real
In any other age as the one In which
they were placed. They are interest
ing to-day, probably more so, as when
they were created.
His characters are types of people,
and their lives are the natural outgrowth
of the motives of that people to live
hence this universally.
In Shylock he gave us a Jew, not Of
all the dominant traits Of his people.
Dickens works are truly great, mas
much as they present to US subjects Of
universal interest-childhood, old ago,
cruelty, meanness, hypocrisy,
Kindness gentleness and goodness. His
subjects are not only Of interest to all
people In all chimes. but he had his own
inimitable way of presenting them. The
of his books has increased
with the years.
Thackeray has given us some charac-
tiers that will live always. Becky Sharp
is a type of woman who cuitivates her
intellect, but utterly negleets her moral
and spiritual welfare. IN Emily We
have q type of woman who allows her
to dominate her whole being.
If she has any intellect 1t Is never dis
played, for her will is too weak to pass
Judgment. We have Becky and Emily
with us to-day, always have and always
will have. VANITY Fair has lived Il
long time. and will live always because
its interest Is worldwide.
Hugo is another writer who dealt in
types Of people. If he had left nothing
but The Toilers of the Sea" he would
have left a lasting monument to his
greatness in his minute and all embrace
ing knowledge of human nature. but he
also gave us 'grhe Man who Laughs"
anu Lies MlStTdDlts. LII llt letSl ndlltu
we find such types as Famine, Cossette,
Marius and Jean Vatican the last of
which verifies the statement that truth
shall triumph in the end.
Yet not one of the above named books
had such popularity snd worldwide no.
tice as many of the books of the pres
ent day writer's. Can 1t be tina. they
possess less merit. less of that which is
great and worldwide In lis in
terest. No, irdeed. Shakespeare. Dick
ems, Thackeray and Hugo will be read
when most of the books of the present
day writers are forgotten
The immense popularity of the books of
to-day is owing mainly to the fact that
they take up a line of Thought that Is
popular to-day. But few of the books
of the day are worldwide in interest,
and twenty years hence will be read by
but few people, if any, for they do not
possess the requisites for lasting inter-
est.
Let us notice few of those that gained
an almost unheard of popularity: Red
Rock" by Thomas Nelson Page, is Ii
we'll written and readable book. 1t is of
special interest to the people of the "Old
South" as it gives an account Of the
times just before and after the Civil War.
The people and incidents of RED Rock"
are impossible, except with the setting
he gave them ana at the time winch ne
placed them.
A charming and interesting book to the
people of our section. 1t preserves some
of the elements Of greatness, but its linn
its of interest are too narrow to be called
great.
Richard Carvel." by Winston Chur-
chill has not the merit of being original
and well-written. 1t is written in about
three styles. Parts of it are anything
but interesting Its chief interest lies in
the fact that 1t treats of colonial times
which Is of interest to every American
and Englishman. 1t is pleasant harm
less and has some good in it, but lacks
most OF the elements of greatness.
James Meredith" by Paul leicester
Ford, is another novel Of colonial times.
1t is better written that Richard Car
VEL and gives a truer account of the
times. II is not especially interesting,
even with the plot LAID during a time so