The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-06

| NY the south and for that reason those
 who are possessed of the divine afflatus which enables them to portray character or tell good story well should be given all the more consideration. Among the living authors who have won renown in the south's literary life per- haps none ranks higher than James Lane Allen of Kentucky His novels and short stories have been widely read and years ago he demonstrated conclusively that he was the most finished of story-telers. His descriptions of southern scenes and feelings, especially in old Kentucky, have never been surpassed. MT. Allen is close to the earth in all he writes; not figur- atively but literally. While his sentiment is far above the ordinary plane of sordid existence his knowledge of nature and all her ways, of the green grass and the flowers, the forest and the field, is so inti- mate that his descriptions are almost equal in beauty and vividness to the gorgeous sunsets behind the Kentucky hills, which he pictures with such mas terly hand.
 MT. Allen has not been markedly pro- life in his work, but each of his books and stories shows all the perfection which Is the result of careful polishing. While he has been notably successful in his novels, MT. Allen is distinctly a short story writer, although he does not affect those breathless, dsjointed narratives which attempt to be complete novels in two or three pages of magazine. As
 ,-al,i iaAxr for his "Choir Invisible" which first brought him fame, his Kentucky Cardinal" Aftermath" "A Summer in Already" "The Reign of Law" and his Flute and Violin" stories. In fact this summary in cludes the major part of his work.
 It Is in the Flute and Violin stories that MT. Aliens power as storyteller is made apparent Along with Thomas Nel- son Pages exquisite tales of the south, and Joel Chandler Harris humorous sketches, the Flute and Violin" stories represent our best literary effort. Their pathos, wealth of description, and beau tiful sentiment appeal irresistably to ev- cry reader, no matter what his prefer
 ences may be. Two Gentlemen of Old
 
 as we'll as a tribute to the touching rela- tions of master and trusted body servant In cid slave days as has ever been writ ten. Indeed, it would be lesson for those people who are continually working them- selves into a frenzy over the race ques- ton to sit down quietly and read this story. It would not only be a lesson but it would be revelation. "Old King Solomon of Kentucky Is another gem of the col lection. This Is an even stronger charac- ter study than the former story, but not quite so tender and pathetic. The Flute and Violin" itself story of decided merit, Is really the weakest of the volume and should be placed last In these stories and others in the Flute and vio- lin'' collection one gets a glimpse at all that is noble and beautiful in life. Per haps no writer is more spiritual in his conception of earthly things than MT. All len. He seems to rise above all that Is low and dwells on a height removed from common mortals, to which they can only partially attain by reading his books. Among his novels "The Choir Invisible Is something of disappointment to many of Mir Aliens admirers. The story is not a happy one and there is an atmosphere of sadness that affects the reader from the beginning However. "A Kentucky Cardinal and Aftermath" It's sequel, are word paintings and nothing else. On the fiimsiest thread of a story MT. Allen has strung a series of beautiful thoughts and graceful descriptions that are almost perfect in their conception. It is rather hard to take a bird and two or three
 very commonplace people, almost deify them, and make them the central figures in a story that is so simple, and yet so delicately conceived and true to the best of our emotions that the whole Is fascin-
 atipg Yet ths is what MT. Allen has
 done. The Kentucky Cardinal" shows that he Is a master of his craft. It is
 a far cry from this pastel to the deeper and more powerful study we find in ''The Reign of Law" and yet, although we are introduced to scenes of hard poverty
 and weighty theological questions. there yet fingers the charm of Allen, in his descriptions of the Kentucky hemp fields l and the simple home life of his charac- ! ters. Mir. Allen has also written a new book called The Mettle of the Pasture" !" | It has received general commendation but | is hardly so good as much of his former
 work Indeed. Mir. Allen tells a short story much better than he writes novel. | George W. Cable, Joel Chandler Harris,
 Thomas Nelson Page. John Trotwood
 Moore, Charles Egbert Craddock.'' who
 is Miss Murfree of Tennessee. Harris
 Dickson of Mississippi Jeremy Clemens.