The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-06
1.-THE POSTMASTER"

The Toastmaster," a brochure of s'xty- four pages. is the latest work from the ti ehchant pen of Mir. Andrew James Miller If Montgomery and 1t has just come frt m the presses of local publish ing house. It is not intended for sale but is rather to be distributed by Mir. Miller among his large circle of friends
 The book does not pretend to be any, thing more than a compilation of the clever things which have come under the eye of clever man who has travelled extensively and read studiously. True there are toasts in the book wrfsten by Mr. Miller himself, but 1t will appeal to the friends of MT. Miller chiefly because it reflects his amiable personality and gives to his friends collection of those things deemed worthy of preservation by a rarely good fellow of exceptionally dis criminative judgment.
 The Millerian brand of optimism runs rampant in the~ introduction and the author gives cogcnt reasons for placing the brochure in the hands of his friende.
 The cynic will not agree with me. and he never can' says MT. Miller because he is no wise arbiter elegantiarum. and far less an authority on what will pro- mote the happiness of mankind. Nor are these thoughts. or this little book, addressed to the nti-everythingarians who go through life with handkerchief to the eyes. trying to make the balance of us as miserable as they are. and to court death as . glorious relief. They are the veritable priests of despair. The Supreme Ruler never intended life for such a farce. Therefore. to those who can find no approval for anything out side the beaten path. who never felt the inspiration or the joy of a merry peal of laughter; whose ponderous philosophy would banish merriment from the world: who prescribe banquets, theatres, danc- ing and all worldly amusements; for them these viands are not offered. As Ben Johnson would say:
 Thy praise. or thy dispraise. is to me
 alike, One doth not stroke me. nor the other
 strike."
 Mir. Miller has added special charm to the compilation of toasts by short historical treatise upon ancient and modern banquets and the gradual evolu- ton of the toastmaster. as one of the most important essentials of modern public entertainments.
 The Toastmaster'' does not lay down the exact thing appropriate for every conviviai gathering, but its versatile line of toasts. covering so many classes of entertainments, Will easily suggest kiH- dred ideas that may be adopted to other and different occasions. The book really aims to assist those who might wish to be original without adopting literally the language it uses. It will occupy unique place in modern literature. since 1t is possibly the only publication of the kind that has treated the subject with any degree of comprehensiveness.
 One of the interesting features of the brochure Is choice collection of short poems. classified as Songs of Revelry." The part of the compiler has been simply that of judicious selection with here and there bit of paraphrasing and there will hardly be a difference of opinion as to the fitness of the collection. All of these songs" have jolly and convivial flavor which will appeal to those who love the merry jingle of Bacchanalian rhymes.
 While Mir. Miller is business man and is undoubtedly pressed with the duties of routine work he is prolific writer and evidently finds time away from his business duties to dwell with his books long enough to draw inspira- ton for literary work of true value. His friends will find real enjoyment in the possession of The Toastmaster."