The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-24
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

gerous for our sailors than the mimic invasions now being conducted. It was a ludicrous evidence of American pluck when Admiral Dewey stopped tne fight for breakfast.
 Chicago is now receiving the liscredit of being the home of graft" Many dis agreeable things have been laid at the door of the Windy City. but this Is one of the worst. With her professors. her religious sensationalists, and other sim. liar affictions. the town deserves the sympathy of the entire country, but does not receive the slightest considera- tion. There may be a mistake about the latest imputation, anyway It is quite probable that graft" existed in this world some time before Chicago began to make things unpleasant for New York In fact, the Bible tells us of several pie turesque characters who were in the class of the postoffice pilferers. Eve first started the practice but her meth ods were essentially crude and the main fault with her system was that she made nothing by the deal.
 It is cheerful news that the man who tries to eat certain number of oysters or other fruit, in limited time, against foolish wager. sometimes meets the fate he deserves. What pleacure or pro- fit there is in eating ten soda crackers in ten minutes is hard to see, but men are doing such things every day Per haps 1t is a survival of the times when we were rather crude in our habits and the primeval ferests The man who att tempts such a feat is essentially lacking in brain power and would be a fit subject for the secluson one of our splendid state institutions-the asylum or the pen itentiary, it makes little difference
 As a result of the tropical hurricane which struck Jamaica and the West Indies a rise in the price of bananas is reported This does not seem to have much effect on the Birmingham market, however. The fruit Is proving a tough proposition to Morris avenue just now, and the end of
 
 seems to want the succulent fruit and it is left to dry up on the stem. Few peo- pie appreciate the value of the banana as a staple food It Is one of the most nourishing articles of diet when properly ripened and prepared that the human race is blessed with, and is capable of hum dred different methods of treatment by a skillful chef Let the reign of the banana continue. It is a good thing, and deserves to be encouraged
 The new summer coat for men is with us. Modest members of the sex would be glad If it were elsewhere. The garment seems to be hybrid of the kimona. smok- ing jacket, dressing gown and the pajama. Those who have not seen pictures can imagine a sufficiently horrible article of attire from these suggestions In addition, every color of the rainbow is permissible. The coat may prove popular with such persons as Harry Lehr and others of that ilk but will hardly be adopted by the male animal in general. It may be added that the coat is designed for indoor wear. It seems that the Humbert trial is at last ended. A sentence of five years would appear to be rather light when the enor- mity of the swinding operations is con- sidered, but they do things differently in France from what we are accustomed to. Therese Humbert made a stout defense and brought skillfully into play all the arts of woman to escape the toils but was unsuccessful. A wonderful career of crime DrnnRbt h 01n fc order for some penny-a-liner to give us the story in embellishments. It would be far better reading than the average dime novel. good novelist could give us a portrayal of one of the most remarkable female adventuresses who has ever stood in the limelight of international notoriety.
 P. c.