The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-20
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

there are always ignorant members of the r. ready to give up their pitiful savings in the hopes of arriving in q promised land Perhaps the pension scheme is more profitable just now but when that wears out there will no doubt be some new meth- cd devised for swindling the black man.
 Some one has announced for Santos Du- mont that the fare for aerial passengers at the St. Louis exposition vii be 10 cents a pound This is rather high for the fat people but there will hardly be a crush to climb aboard. Even if the ride Is offer- ed free the Frenchman will have hard time getting a full complement of passen- gers. We like to laugh at the uniueky in- yentors who get dumped out of their ma chimes but are not over anxious to dupE- cate their experiences. Flying devices will have to conduct themselves in much mo., orderly manner than heretofore to inspire any confidence in prospective voy- agers of the air.
 Goldwin Smith, the eminent historian and man of letters. who has just passed into his eighty-hrst year, says he thinks his long life and good health are due to the fact that he was not overworked at school in his boyhood. Professor Smith believes that our modern system of ed- ucation is too great strain on growing minds to be of much benefit. This is in direct contradiction to the theory advo- cated by President Eliot of Harvard for shortening our university courses to one or two years. "Cramming'' is a good thing when there is no time to study. but it's usefulness is of a very question: able nature. In these days it is remarka- be how a college student manages to pull through a diploma in spite Of the multifarious affairs that engage his att tention. In some of our universities the social duties alone are enough to break down a most strenuous constitution, not to mention football, baseball, frater- nal work, and lastly, studies.
 Old Vesuvius is now affording mag nifcent spectacle. The huge crater is belching flame and smoke to heighth Of 1000 feet and the lava is again flowing toward Pompei The Neapolitans have a firm belief in the power of their patron Saint Geparo to stop the flow when 1t approaches too near to Naples so they are not greatly alarmed.
 Artists and photographers now have splendid opportunity to make pictures, but it does seem a dissertation to snap an insignificant camera on the grim old mountain. Together with earthquakes and volcanoes the earth is decidedly troubled at present.
 The Mexican government is carrying on a crusade against gambling which is causing decided uneasiness among the shakers of dice. At first glance this looks very much like superhuman task. The Mexican turns to gambling as naturally as a young bird attempts the air Any, thing that possesses the element of chance has an irresistible fascination and there is going to be trouble when an effort is made to teach them the error of their ways. President Diaz has done much for his country but he will have a hard time driving out the fever of gambling
 Edwin A. Abbey, the noted artist, Is hard at work on painting of the recent coronation of their majesties of England. It is a broad theme and one capable of magnificent treatment. England without her royalty to furnish spectacular enter tainment would be an exceedingly dry place and anything which commentaries these public displays is of interest. The name of the artist is a sufficient guar antee that the picture will be a master piece. When completed the painting will be sent for exhibition in the United States where the republican masses may have an opportunity of seeing how roy alty looks in real life. PC.