The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-01
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

English soldiers who suffered great hard ship the matter should be sifted to the bottom. In that case it may be found that after all Tommy Atkins was not so much to blame for the bunders England made during the Boer war.
 In his speech at the great banquet of Cassel. Emperor William of Germany re- minds us of the American prize-hghter telling the press how he did it. The kaiser attributes his strenuous perform ances to his tutors, who little dreamed of the immense labor that devolves on the shoulders of him who rules over the Ger mans. even though they were overwhelm- ed with the responsibility of their august task. Of course the emperor is not at all conceited. but he has an idea that Will jam of Germany is a parsonage of some moment in theSworld who may be allowed to spell his ego with a capital letter. And he is right. No European monarch keeps himself more constantly before the eye of the world by the multiplicity of his labors and none is better equipped for the heavy duties of government. The kaiser Is just a little spectacular in his opera tions and likes for people to know that he is still making history, but he seems to like Americans and as long as he Is cour- teous he will be persona grata to people of this country.
 The Panama hat is passing. In the ex- citement over the canal treaty this im- ,.tp I af has been overlooked, but Chollies are be- ginning to awaken to the fact that they win have to cast around for something new to denote their individuality among the common masses. The Panama was an expensive luxury when it first became popular, but 1t was not long before enter prising manufacturers were turning out an imitation that could not be told from the orig.-.al and then the fad began to wane. Had '4 rot been for the exorbitant prices charged for the hat no one could be blamed for wearing one of the cool comfortable affairs. Very few people in this country who wore the Panama look ed well. The hat was never intended for any other dress than white duck clothing and soft shirts In fact the climate of this country is not adapted at all for the Panama hat and our people are not swarthy enough to give 1t the proper ef- feet.
 Bad Saratoga will continue it's carnival ol wickedness next year and the gamblers are happy. The residents have come to the conclusion that it would not be prof itable to shut up the gambling houses so four large places will be permitted to run next season. A wide open village IS the thing desired and the people intend to see that their wish is granted Saratoga Is yet a great resort for American people in spite of it's temporary eclipse In ad- dition it is a most interesting gathering place for the country's picturesque char acters. If gambling were abolished it's piquancy and zest would quickly vanish Resides the halls are paying concerns for the town and it is on this account that the wise citizens have decided that they will not be good yet awhile. at any rate.
 The French chefs are feeling particular- ly jubilant just now over the fact that the Dowager Empress of China has declared
 
 dishes prepared by cooks from the land of Alphonse and Gaston The chefs consider that this is new world conquered and attribute their success to the obliging Boxers. It is quite likely that the en- press will find the new culinary master pieces much more to her taste than the weird and wonderful connections on which the lamented Lii Hung Chang subsisted.
 Sam Parks now languishes behind Sing Sing bars adorned by a martyrs crown. His health is failing, in fact is already wrecked. but he is anxious to do one more service for organized labor before he dies He wishes to bequeath to iron workers "a salary of five dollars a day through his services as a business agent " Now that this smooth individual is at last ensnared he is beginning to work up on public sympathy and before a great while we may expect to hear that he has been par doned as hopeless consumptive or some other kind of invalid equally to be pitied.
 PC.