The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-18
The world is disposed to overlook
ID the eccentricities OF genius. The
vices of great men ars "foibles.''

III He Wofid Is ulSpOSeu u HohehloSh
k0 the eccentricities OF genius. The
vices of great men ar sfoibles.'
their follies are condoned and their snort
comings are little considered in tie light
Of their greatness. Perhaps it is just as
we'll to forgive a man for beirg libertine
If he has left behind him .. few great
thoughts, although 1t Is not in accord
ance with stricter views of what is the
right. But there is no excuse for affecta-
tion among men who are in the public
eye. If a great poet finds thai his muse
responds most readily under tire influence
of drugs and liquor, why the vorle is the
loser when he reforms, and if a master Of
fiction discovers that he can weave the
most enhancing love idyls by having a
variety of amorous experiences there can
he no doubt that his art IS enhanced by
his wickedness. But we cannot forgive
the crank who wears long hair just be-
cause he thumps a piano a little better
than his fellows. the novelist who always
has himself photographed in a sweater,
the artist who thinks his cahlng entities
him to wear bizarre clothing, AMI all those
other individuals who hope to attract
public notice by parading bogus eccen-
tricities. The eecentricity of true genius
is recognized. Some men cannot help be-
ing queer" because they ara differently
constituted from their fellows, but there
is wide difference between real eccen-
tricity and the rank affectation which is
so prevalent today.
Since the new series of Sherlock Holmes
stories has been given publicity critics
have risen up to assail ST A. Conan
Doyle. These persons assert that the man
who created Sherlock Holmes did serious
damage to his reputation by yielding to
the solicitations of publishers and bring
ing the detective back to life for sub
stantial consideration. Not only has he
mercerized his profession as a writer and
prostituted his genius. as it were. but he
has failed to equal his first detective
stories. Now this is a criticism that has
been made recently. While we are all
willing to admit that the later Sherlock
| Holmes stories are not as interesting as
their predecessors they are still enter
| tanning and very few complaints are
heard from subscribers of newspapers
that are now publishing 1.-THE Return of
| Sherlock Holmes" Also it must be con-
sidered that the novelty has worn off and
the fact that Sherlock Holmes has solved
about all the problems any one could ex-
pect him to may account for certain
apathy on the part Of hypercritical read
ers.
The scheme of President Castro to in
wade the United States with an army of
30 900 Venezuelans is so absurd and pre-
posterous that it is scarcely credible.
Surely the President of Venezuela knows
enough about the United States to appre-
ciate the vast difference in thu resources
of the two countries? Perhaps his wild
proclamation was merely for effect; may
be 1t is what you call re bluff" Uncle
Sam may yet have to take Venezuela
across his knee. gently but firmly. and
administer a paternal thrashing
Among The newspaper poets whose verse
is read in all parts of the country is
genial J. NJ Lewia of the Houston Post.
Mr.. Lewis has teen with the Post long
| time and he Is a part of Texas but his