The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-21

~ 1nMiNG1AM is laborlng under
H~11 spel-a spell woven by a great
- actor who has demonstrated that
he is master Of his art. Since Mans
field appeared here in "Old Heidelberg
those who saw him in the play can hard
ly drive from their thoughts the portray
al of young German prince which he
gave. There was an inspiration in every
scene and when the play was ended the
silence which reigned in the Jefferson the
atre was not lack of appreciation but
the strongest testimonial to Mansields
art. People do not applaud when they
are crying. There were tears in many
eyes when Carl Heinrich babe farewell
to Kathie and returned to his princely
duties to wed a woman for whom he
cared nothing.
1t is hard to understand how anyone,
no matter how ignorant or dull of COM
prehension, can sit through a play like
"Old Heidelberg and not be affected by
at least one scene or one passage of the
story. The romance and poetry Of the
old university town are blended with the
rich landscape of the Neckar and its
ruined castles and distant hills, while
the glitter of royalty is domino ted by
love, the most powerful Of human emo
lions. Yet there are those in Birming-
ham who thought the actor was ridicu-
lous, affected, and mechanical. There are
some persons sordid enough to protest
that he charged too much for admission
and mulcted local theatregoers when he
would have played at lower prices in New
fr hat
Mansfield plays at about the same prices
in the metropolis that he does in Bir-
mingham and New Workers. pay 80 and
$3.50 for fairly good seat long before
Birmingham people have an opportunity
to do so.
But what II Mansfield does charge $3.50
for a seat while John Drew charges $50?
The play is worth the money and more.
Anyone who once becomes enthralled by
the great actor ceases to think of what he
charges Money considerations are too
sordid to be associated with the fascinat-
ing prince who loves and tastes life for
brief interval before becoming state pris-
oner for the rest of weary existence.
When we see Mansfield seated in his lux
urious car amid commonplace surround
ings we may have our grudges about his
pr,ces but not when he gets on the stage
surrounded by the emblems of royalty
and enA,nating from his very person the
inspiration of old Heidelberg. He is not
Mansfield then, but the prince.
The twentieth annual report of the bu-
reau of American entomology has been
issued by the Smithsonian institute. This
weishtv volume was compiled by Direc-
tor ] w. Powell for the years 1898 and
1899 and is stupendous work, giving
broad compendium of knowledge concern
ing the aboriginal tribes of the country
The book is handsomely illustrated with
engravings, charts and color plates and
including an interesting study of Indian
pottery. Contrary to the expectations OF
people who pay scant heed to Smithson-
ian publications. this work is of absorb
ing intrest as are nearly all books deal
ing with the arts and crude civilization
of the Indian tribes of this country. The
twentieth report of. Director Powell rep
resents careful research and diligent la
Dor. 1t would be hard to find more
thorough treatment of the subject and
one better adapted to the needs of stu
dents of Indian lore. The book will prove
of great value to the scientific libraries
Of thisscountry.
Certain critics are now calling Japan
and Russia the '1azy fighters" because,
forsooth, they have not yet done more
in a combative way than to strike the
first blow. 1t is generally believed that
nearly all the war news received up to
this time has been grossly exaggerated
and unreliable and sure enough" bat
tie is yet to come. So far Developments
In the far east have been meagre. The
laps made dash at the Russian ships
at Port Arthur, succeeded in disabling
several with their torpedoes, and then
everybody took rest.
{ But it. Is . mistake to-. suppose that