The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-04-29

Joseph JEFFERSON by Francis wilson.
Published by Charles scrlbner's Sons.
Francis Wilson, the well-known actor,
will be pleasantly remembered as the au-
thor of THE Eugene Field That Knew
and ''Recollections of a Player" In the
present volume just from the press Mr..
Wilson has chosen a theme that will at
once appeal to countless readers. Mr..
Wilson knew Joseph Jefferson for many
years and was associated with him in
the all-star cast of 1.-The Rivals" In
the preface the author refers those who
would seek the facts of his life and an
estimate of Jefferson's work and art to
Mr.. William Winter; to those who would
acquaint themselves with the ineffable
charm of his personality to the pages of
his autobiography. What Mr.. Wilson has
attempted and that most delightfully."- in
his volume is the relation of remem-
brances of the beloved actor mostly anec-
dotal, which give a very intimate and
near view of the personality of the man.
It seems that for many years Mr.. Will
son prepared himself for the task, as did
Boswell once. by keeping abundant notes
of discussions and conversations between
the two.
acting was his profession, painting
was his pastime. He had great passion for
both. When he acted, and especially when
he did not. he painted. When he did
neither, he fished He was ardent dis
ciple of Izaak Walton. l have heard ex
President Cleveland, who was often JEFF
ferson's companion of the fly and rod,
say he never saw any man get greater
JOY out of the sport of fishing than
Joseph Jefferson, and that the mere UNI
tangling of line seemed a philosophical
pleasure to him."
And consequently it is in this
charming way that the author approaches
the subject of his text-his characteris-
| tics his great character study Rip Van
| Wrinkle, his recreations-also as a lecturer
and author.
II asked him If there were any truth
| in the story of his going into bank to
cash a check, and on being refused be-
| cause of there being no one to identify
| him. he leaned up against the counter
/ and, in the tones of Rip, exclaimed, If
| my tog Schneider vas here he would rec
J ognize mer and that instantly there were
! any number of people eager to identify
| him? He laughed and said: No, it is
| not true. but it ought to be. 1t is too
| good to be disproved. Oh who Is it, he
continued, that rounds out all those
stories giving them a quip and snap
which the original narrator would have
rejoiced to have thought Off
The entire volume is most charmingly
| written; the style Is easy and smooth and
| innumerable incidents and anecdotes Of
| very great interest and fascination. There
| are a number of full-page portraits
which are pleasing addition to the text,
and the volume itself is an exquisite ex-
| ample of the published's art.
! The sentence which perhaps best sums
| up the spirit of Charles Wagners recent
! volume Justice" is this: Man is born
| to that half-light where ignorance and
| knowledge struggle with each other like
the vacillating CLEANS and shadows of
| twilight. Out of the depths of the in
| finite voice has cried Comet and he
goes-before him the dawn behind him
| the night"
| Vaughan Kesters panoramic novel OF
| American life, 1.-THE Fortunes Of the
| Landrays," is to be published in England.
Bob and the Guides. by Mary Ray
| mond Shipman Andrews Published by
| Charles Seribner's Sons.
| Bob, the youthful hero of Mrs. Andrews
| latest volume, Bob and the Guides" is
such clever, jolly, winsome youngster
/ that he wins a place for himself In the
| readers heart upon the very first page.
Bob is one of small camping party with
! four guides situated in picturesque woods
of Canada. The text is made up of a
| spirited account of the happenings of
| these characters who might be daily ac-
| quaintances, and yet they are exceed
| ingly amusing. The incidents described
are so sprightly and spontaneous, so
| fresh and crisp that the reader is at once
settled in the camp also, and most hearth
| ly experiences all the woody sports Of
camp life. 1t is charmingly written and
In the first story entitled, 1.-THE Linge
of M Sieur," the author proves the pos
session of a really adroit and sklllful tall
ent for storytelling. The humor is sweet
wholesome and pervading, and the book
will undoubtedly win many readers and
cheer and delight them in the winning
II you want a husband write a book.
Miriam Mchaelson, author of "A Yellow
Journalist" assures d. Appleton & Co.,
her publishers, that all women writer's
have offers of marriage.
'"rhey were from men who have never
seen me- she says "ergo one can speak
of these questionable compliments. One
man sent me photos of himself and all
his family, and. his parents in propria per-
soma to inspect me and convey to me a
deed for beautiful house, all on ac-
count of my book"
Octave Thanets popular novel, 1.-The
Man of the Hour" is full of sayings at
| once witty. wise and graceful. Witness
| the following:
Nothing is so bracing to courage as
company"
| I'm afraid I came awfully near being
| bumptious . l shall never learn to
| hold my opinions and my tongue at the
! same time. I guess!'
''If the council don't nut that Teller out