The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-26
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

not BeHerdlly feIudrheu except III the To- calities which the people are leaving, but every year large numbers go out from the more thickly settled districts of the country east of the Mississippi. Although the west is rapidly filling up from this cause there is yet plenty of room for all corners and wealth for the man who will work hard and save his money. Just now the Indian Territory seems to be an obs jeetive point for many. The fertile lands of this region are very attractive to far mers and numbers go out to become pros porous In very short time. The discov- cry of coal in the territory has also ma terially strengthened the boom but the agricultural resources are the strongest factor in the tide of prosperity which is now sweeping over the district.
 The New York city board of health has taken step that all shavers will agree is an evidence of much wisdom. Rules of cleanliness for barbers have been pro- mugated and if these regulations can only be enforced they will prove a boon to mankind. All the points that are us- ually the causes of disease and discom- fort are covered by the order, which goes into effect on September 1. Really, the board of health has done enough along these lines but selfish persons will be apt to ask one more favor. They will re- quest that ban be put on the barber's tongue. Not very long ago the anecdotes Of the talkative barber were many of them, true in every detail but nowadays Ia hoor preciate the value of silence, although many or the tonsorial artists in the best shops cannot resist the temptation to throw in word now and then, by way of parenthesis. If given half a chance they start up full fiedged conversation. It Is hard to say just why barbers are so fond of talking. It may be that close proximity to their customers and the fact that the victim cannot easily escape while a razor is held at his throat has some- thing to do with this failing. Or it may be that the barber Is more sociabIe fell low than his brother in other trades.
 Expressions of formal regret over the death of Lord Salisbury have been fairly numerous, but it seems that both Eng
 
 the demise of the great statesman with a remarkable degree of calmness and mat ter of fact air. It recalls to mind the fre- quent saying that when we are dead we are soon forgotten. This applies equally as well to political death" When q man passes out of the public view. it mat ters not how powerful or how popular he has once been, his personality soon be- comes shrouded in the obscurity of private life. In the old world this is especially the case and in the United States unless a re- tired politician can contrive to keep his name in the papers he shares a similar fate. The notes of condolence that were received at Hatfield house seem to have a cold and cheerless ring. Perhaps it is because they are couched in the language of state. Ambassador Choate's message on the behalf of the United States has at least spark of real feeling.
 
 It Is reported from abroad that the beau- tiful lakes of Scotland are being greatly modified in appearance by the presence of numerous tourists whose houseboats dot the water. To poetic mind these addi- uons are far from being an improvement but for the comfort they bring the owners the surroundings are thus allowed to be desecrated. Loch Lomond seems to be the objective point of the tourists. We can imagine that the scenes on this beauti- ful sheet of water are not rendered more attractive by the inroads of vulgar hu- manity. One likes to imagine that the lochs possess all the wild grandeur so viv- idly described by Sir Walter Scott but in this late day the conditions are sadly changed. Nothing is sacred from the tour ist He attempts anything and everything and though he may break his neck In the Alps he is bound to climb to the highest peak P. C.