The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-22

N CERTAIN Dr. McMahon of New PDN York has seen Tt to deliver a
 tirade against the immoral ten- dencies of the day as exemplifed in ques- tionable literature and immodesty in wo- mems attire Although both subpects are painfully trite they will bob up now and then and are always interesting. No doubt the metropolitan divine feels that he is justified in his remarks by the fact that ther is a pronounced craze for prison" literature in France. Dr. Me Mahon makes his chief complain against French literature as being immoral, al- though he feels confident that we are no better on this side the water. Quo Vadis' is cited as an example of the book that is doing most harm to youthful minds just at present. This is without doubt one of the strongest and most vivid his torical novels ever written. yet certain people of prudish proclivities persist in harping on its immortality and the ob- scenity which mars it's pages.
 Although no one attempts to deny that a novel, especially for young readers, would be more eevating if entirely pure in it's treatment of life, scenes of real life are deemed essential to vividness and in- stead of disgusting a thoughtful reader impress him as nothing else would do. The novel of realism has done a great work in the world in spite of what it's detractors may say. Certainly "Qou Vadis" could not be held up to scorn in this class, for it's realism is not confined entirely to the degredation of life. The entire story, from it's opening scene in the residence of Petronious to the beautiful climax, is a plea for Christian virtues. Highly moral books are very desirable. No one denies that. But it is so very seldom that writer is found who can weave a powerful romance and leave out every suggestion of wickedness in life. As for the matter of dress touched upon by Dr. McMahon, it is useles to say any, thing. No power, human or divine has yet been found that could withstand Dame Fashion with any degree of success,
 Cincinnati has the presumption to claim that brain flag is rapidly increasing in that "racy" town, while in Chicago the disease is on the rampage. For the bene- fit of those who feel susceptible to an at- tack the symptoms are described as "a heaviness and pain about the eyeballs, and an excessive lassitude and lifeness." These symptoms also resemble the after effects of jag" but let it pass. When 1t is reflected how many people are feel ing just this way and have been feeling that way for years, one is astonished at the prevalence of brain flag in this coun. try. We have had it all the time, but like appendicitis and the laziness germ, we did not know what was the matter. It is comforting, however, to know that one more good excuse for laziness has been found. The remarkable feature of the spread of the disease in this country is that Chicago and Cincinnati, two of the most un-literary cities in the land. are the first to be assailed It must, indeed. be a hard blow to Boston and Philadel. phia, but the first is looking after "booze grafters" just now, and the latter Is too busy attending to a scheme to get herself advertised. This is the age of freak dis eases. Appendicitis is positively plebeian now but with these new discoveries so- ciety has plenty of ailments to pre-empt