The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-10

T Is estimated that 4S3 theatrical com
 panies will tour the United States this season. This number does not include the hosts of transformers who dare not show themselves in reputable ] theatres With an average of fifteen persons in each company there will be over seven thousand players who will endeavor to furnish us entertainment for pecuniary consideration. No country except, perhaps, France extenGs a more l cordial welcome than America to stage folk, and none offers a more remunera- 1 tive field. Any one who can turn out a fair play or light opera is sure of an ample reward. Just at present the pub lie Is waiting for some person of real genius to evolve a masterpiece for the stage. In the meantime the mediocre playwrights are reaping a rich harvest. Not only do the travelling theatrical com panies sent out from our principal cities do a splendid business on the road, but the great stars from across the water are only too glad to come over for a while and attract the dollars of the pleas
 
 lamented that our tastes are low and that the "Sapho" and "zaza" style of play Is as high as we can attain, but in spite of the great number of people who do patronize these performances the really deserving productions seldom go begging for audiences Especially is this true of grand opera and concerts given by the great musicians. But 1t is sad to relate that we do not show the proper Shakespeare.
 A New York Jew has come to the con clusion that there is undoubted scriptural authority for the establishment of a City of Zion in Central Africa. In one of the Psalms he has found these words: "Ethi- opia shall soon stretch out her hands to God" Also in Isaiah he reads that be- fore Israel shall be restored to Palestine five cities must be built in Egypt and they shall speak the language of Ca- man." 'In that day there shall be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt" According to interpre- tation Egypt in the Old Testament means Africa and the language of Canaan" is Hebrew
 Cardinal Gibbons is expected to arrive in the United States about September F. While away in foreign lands the dstin- guished American prelate has been ac- corded unusual honors and has also been the subject for many wild newspaper re- ports. Among the cardinals assembled for the conclave he was a striking figure, al- though it was generally conceded that he would not have great amount of in- fiuence in electing the new pontiff. It was even rumored by certain papers that he might be himself elevated to the ponti- ficial throne, but those conversant with affairs in the Catholic church laughed at the idea. Cardinal Gibbons will have much work to dispose of when he returns to Baltimore. Three important parishes are without rectors, and the resignati tion of Father Sartori, pastor of St. Joseph's church at Midland. Md, will also have to be acted upon. Father Sartori is a relative of the dead Leo and has been a priest in the Baltimore archdiocese for thirty years. He will return to the place of his birth near the beautiful city of Venice.
 We who are sweltering these sultry fall days in the south read with envy of snow storms raging in the far west. In Colorado and in Montana blizzards are not at all unusual, and railroad traffic has been seriously delayed by the snow drifts. Now is the time when the wonder full snow sheds are invaluable Without their protection the transcontinental trains would have a hard time making their trips on anything like an equable schedule. Snowstorms in the latter part