The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-31
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

the fact that great fortunes await heirs in England and that the undersigned firm of lawyers will take great pleasure in furnishing information to any who write. Several common names are casually men, toned, so that the hopes of many ignor- ant persons have been awakened to their cost. People who came from the dis tricts mentioned and think they are dis tantly related to some old uncle who died immensely wealthy and without heirs fall ready victims. Of course the search re- suits in nothing being found, but the wiley swindlers have already obtained their fee and are safely out of reach. There seems to be a strange fascination about hunting wealth. It has attracted the human race since time immemorial, but nowadays We do things differently from the times of Cortez and De Soso. At that period men went out in person to search for fabulous wealth, and in most cases with the usual results. but now a lawyer is paid fat sum and told to go out and bring in a fortune while the expectant heir awaits in pleasant anticipation.
 Since the Indians are diminishing so rapidly in numbers and their picturesque customs of early days are being forgotten, it would be a good idea for those who possess an intimate knowledge of the Redmen as he once roamed tie western plains to put their knowledge into books. The popularity of the great Leather stocking Tales has not yet diminished, but the public wants something new and fresh that has not been read over and over again. It is also an alarming fact that the men who are capable of writing authentic histories of wild western adven- lures are dying even more rapidly than the Indians. It is not necessary to write a blood and thunder novel. The people are tired of such literature, and any space writer in New York or Washington can spin one of these stories without half trying, but a carefully compiled history of the habits, customs and crude civilization. of the aborigines would be very accept- able, especially a book that would treat carefully of their folklore and diversified languages There are comparatively few philologists who make speciality of h. dian languages, perhaps from the fact that they are little known.
 E The trip of MT. Bryan through Europe and the distinguished courtesies shown him by men of high rank who were un- der no obligations to do so, again call at tention to the marked consideration shown Americans of any prominence at all when visiting abroad. Even the most obscure travellers are designated for special at- tentions as soon as their nationality is known. This may have something to do with the prospects of a generous Ameri- can trip, but at any rate all have cause to feel fiattered by the prominence which attaches to their citizenship. In the case of a man of some note, his reception has always been exceedingly cordial, and monarchs are anxious to grant him an audience. Perhaps one reason for this state of affairs is the fact that as rule Americans are very entertaining takers, and those who come in contact with them are seldom losers of their time. Then, of course, Uncle Sam's prestige as a fighter and his strength also influence potentates to grant audiences, who would not other wise be so considerate. P. c.