The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-22
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

hardships. The humorist has alb worked for London dailies. He has lived hard aad toiled hard, so that he can now enjoy with a zest the comforts which his tal- ents have eventually brought him.
 MT. Jerome is not very prolific writer when 1t comes to turning out books for his volumes are few in number. Idle 1 Thoughts of an Idle Fellow" .-as perhaps proven most popular-so popular, in fact. that he felt impelled to issue the Second Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow" MT. Jerome's humor is not startling. His talents lie more in the direction of droll fun-malkng, and although he Is called the Mark Twain of England his style is very different from that of Mir. Clements
 There is more philosophy than laughs .n what he writes, but yet humor and thoughtful reflection are so nicely bal anced that even the most serious thoughts are seasoned with a mellow optimism which makes them grateful to the reader According to reports made by the Ats tralian press that country is now under going period of severe depression. Hard times" seems to have industrial development effectually throttled. and even the most optimistic observers hesi- tate to predict how long the present state of affairs will continue. The Common wealth has been in existence three years. but during that time has been sorely har- rassed. The droughth has been severe and crops have been failures. Tens of thousands of cattle and sheep have per ished while many thousand men are out of employment. Immigration has also se- riously decreased while emigration has largely increased. For instance, the state of Victoria had population of 1,201, ,506 in 1901. Now the population numbers 2, ,024
 Most of those who are leaving Australia go to Canada, South Africa and Argen- tina. There was a time when Australia was believed to have bright future, but so long as the present depression contin- ues the outlook is not very hopeful.
 Of divorces there have been many. and breach of promise suits have been numer- ous. but it remained for a California dam sel to set a fixed valuation on social standing. The fair plaintiff thinks that alo,oVu WOulu partly compensate her LOT damages received in an affair of the heart
 This sum is not large. In fact it Is rather modest in comparison with other amounts that have been asked and awarded. But the interesting feature of this case Is the iitemized account which the ingenious young lady has drawn up. Kisses and love letters are not counted. The loss of home and permanent support Is valued at $5000 Mental suffering and lacerated feelings are set down at $2500, and the rest of the money for minor injuries. The loss of former social standing Is, how ever credited at s2500, while the loss of enhanced social standing is valued at $1250 The two latter items may justly be said to be somewhat unique. Whereas some people argue that prestige in the fashionable world is priceless there are others who asseverate with equal earnest ness that it is not worth a farthing. and still others have never had time, or in- clination to wonder whether 1t Is worth anything or not. When there is such a difference of opinion judges may well disagree. However, the plaintiff in this case seems to have guessed its market price with some degree of definite value. and if she gets what she wants will prob- ably be well repaid for what she has lost. PC