The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-21

An interesting discussion is taking place in Paris upon the relative qualities and defects of the journals of France and of the United States. Discussions of this kind do not always appear to the superfl- cial observer to reach any definite con- clusions or to bear any appreclabe or valuable results. But healthy sane ds- cussion on any subject Is conductive to the improvement of those immediately concerned, and better unders tandlng on the part of the grea reading public. Apropos of the discussion in Paris on the journals of the two great countries a re- cent commentator says "The organizers of the inquest bethought themselves of getting opinions on this side of the ocean and these were given with that frankness which characterizes most persons em- ployed about American newspaper offices. The frankness was not tempered in all cases with that tact for which our con- freres are noted. Our Partisan friends were especially hurt at the intimation that French journalists, and Frenchmen generally, lacked intelligent cui uiiosity as to the affairs of other nations and that their papers were given up to the frivol- ity of the boulevards' In reply to this charge they quote in very serious man. ner the honorable work done by Votaire and Taine and by De Tocqueville for the United States. Since the career of Saint Beuve and his work for the Revue des Deux Mondes and the subsequent prom inece given to Parisian journals these ac- cusatlons appear all the more surprising. They very readily quote however to our discomfort many a news article from the American press. dealing with the dress, the food the behavior and the belongings of women who have no claim on public attention except their wealth and folly. it must be admitted that the discussion Is upon a healthy and profitable subject even though 1t may only promise to be endless.
 The man whose opinions would have been of inestimable value and suggestive ness is alosl not more. I mean Paul Blouet. known to all the world as Max O'Rell. His recent death Is less to the literary world that as yet we cannot real- ize. inasmuch as articles from his once busy pen are still appearing in the daily journals. Few men have ever done as much to bring about Kindly fraternal feeling of good-fellowship between na- tions that was undoubtedly accomplished by Max ORell. His greatest good to his generation and his most effective work was along this line and estimated entirely apart from the value of his lit- erary career. An unofficial visitor, ob- server and critic, yet his judgments and personal opinions bore International re- suits. Though a Frechman he spent much time in England and this country and his sentiments and criticisms ex- pressed in John Bull and Jonathan and his continent were always accurate and true though always tempered with kind liness and a gentle jocularity that was very charming. Ills amiable treatment of the innate peculiarities of differ ent nations in his writings did more to- words bringing about cordial relations between the peoples than, perhaps, we can ever estimate. And who that en- joyed the wisdom and tactful good-sense of his articles in the New York Ameri- can recently would not enjoy thoroughly reading now, from his kindly discerning pen, a few touches upon the weaknesses of either Partisan or American journalist
 
 Life In the country and the possession of "country homes" is appealing to Amer jeans today moro strongly than ever be- fore. In fact the sentiment which Is too healthy . one to be dubbed a fad" has occassioned the publication of a magazine devoted to the subject "Coun- try Life in America,"-a magazine for "those who love the country" and who does not?-for a short while any way Upon the Renaissance of Tennis in the current issue is says The wonderful revival of interest in lawn tennis Is one of the most significant features of Amer ican outdoor life today. The seven thou sand people who watched the champion