The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-31

Queen Bess." The war with the Spain- ards gives Miss Johnston ample scope for the display of her greatest talent-her vigid and riotous imagination. It requires a resolute heart to read Miss Johnstons stories serially, and sir Mortimer is no exception to the rule, for, our sympathy with winsome "Damaris" makes it diffi- cult indeed to wait patiently for the next issue
 "The University of Athens" by Charles 1 F. Thwing, L. l.. D., Is an exceptionally interesting article. He says: 'The uni- versity of Athens Is one of the results of the War of Liberation. If that war arose in part at least. from a more enlightened spirit an effect of the war was still further to liberalize and to quicken this spirit. The Greek mind sought to give itself those advantages and opportunities which three and a hlf centuries of Turkish rule ana misrule and longer period of Byzantine control had denied.'
 promising story by Robert w. Cham bers is begun in this issue, entitled The Sphyx;" exquisite colored illustrations by Henry Hut accompany the text.
 In McClures for the current month IS a clever story entitled "The Elusive Ten Dollar Bill" by Elliott Flower Such bits of humor are msely interspersed between deeply thoughtful articles in order that the mind may relax somewhat under the stimulus of enjoyment. The artlcle IS somewhat satirical in its descriptions or the municipal system" that will no doubt arouse many an interested reader, who from experience can sympathize with the intellectual yet strenuous efforts of "Abner Colkins" in pursuing the "eiu- sive ten dollars" And by-the-way the illustrations are by no means the least in- teresting part of the story.
 The most valuable article in McClures is the second paper by John La Farge on "One Hundred Masterpieces of Painting. There are three reproductions in tint given with the text: ''The Surrender or Breda" by Velasquez; "Napoleon at the Battle of Eylan," by Goss, and rhe Death of Nelson." by Turner. The sup feet of the text is War and the article is concise yet comprehensive and replete with valuable ideas Of velasquez's mar vicious masterpiece at Madrd-better known as "The Laneers." the the author says, after explaining most tersely the historical import of the pieture-the Span ish troops triumphant over the Dutch Tn the teeth of the whole world, and Breda surrender and the sentiment found there: "Spinola embraced his vanquished oppo- nent with kindly expressions and stlil more kindly words. in which he praised the courage and endurance of the pro- tracted defense. The story is rendered Tn the painting in such manner that any one can understand it's meaning. Noth- ing could be simpler than the gesture of Spinola placing his hand on the shoulder of the Dutchman, who bends also, ac- cording to etiquette, as he delivers the keys to the conquered city. The national and the personal characteristics of each leader are expressed in every detail: in the sunburnt face of Justin of Nassau, above his great white collar; in his full doublet and trunk hose and his heavy boots; in the sightness and paleness of Spinola clad in ornamental armor, and in the closely fitting boots which show his high-bred feet"
 In "Prince Roseleaf and a Girl From Kansas" by Miriam Nicholson, we have short romance that in It's daintiness and vivacity recalls somewhat the charm of Davis's' "Princess Aline'' It is a romance of foreign travel and is full of tender sentiment and exquisite bits of humor. Little Mary Daley" who was frank enough to confess-"You see I'm nineteen Tves been teaching school ever since my fifteenth birthday. I've saved every dol lar I could scrape together and I'm blow ing it all in on this trip that I've dream ed of all my life, and that's greater than all my dreams. I may be crude and ig- norant and fresh-but I'm happy" will charm each reader.
 Ray Stoddard Baker contributes thoughtful article upon "A Corner in La bor.'' being an account of what is hap pening in San Francisco, where unionsm holds undisputed sway.
 'eThe Aliens by Booth Tarkington is characteristic and cleverly drawn.
 In Munsey Is graphic description of ''The Wallace Collection" in London, which all tourists will remember with the greatest delight The collection. which is in the beautiful Hertford House. on Manchester square, was completed by Sir