The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-25

O NE or Nne most interesting coAec-
 tons of old paintings that has O ever been exhibited in Blrmlng- ham was seen at a private exhibition the past week The owner, the Rev Hugh P. Mccormack, who has been re- siding in this city for the past year. has collected them from time to time in his travels through Mexico Spain and Porto Rico Being an art eonnoisseur Mir. Me Cormack prizes very highly many of these old canvasses. A few art lovers in Birmingham who have seen the col lection have spent many delightful hours in the McCormack residence on Ave nue c.
 MT. MeCormack's "reminiscences of these interesting countries. their life and customs their art are also most de- lightful by reason of his long residence In land steeped in history. Of peculiar fascination are the incidents of travel, the little fragments that peeed together tell the story of how some of these old eanVases were found in out of the way places, how they have been restored un- til they now form a valuable collection of old world art
 Like many of the eanvases admired in European galleries, the Mccormack col lection, at least several of the best paint ings, are not marked with the name of the artist. The most notable of the can vases belong to the Murllo period un- questionably. But the name of the artist cannot be authenticated. Characteristic of the Murilo school their interest and value is permanent.
 If ba t. The Presentation of Joseph's Coat" The Holy Family is also one of the most beautiful paintings in the collection An other canvas, one of the largest in the exhibition is The Gathering of the Mamma The finest head in the collec- tion is the "St. Jerome IL is a wander ful canvas, the face striking in expres- sion and strong and brilliant light beat ing upon it, the reflection of a scarlet robe upon which the light falls from above. "The Martyr is also notable canvas. But even with the richness of eoloring, the human agony depicted on the face, the dim suggestion of the in- strument of torture in the painting, it is not more vivid than the wonderful head of St. Jerome.
  of this striking collection. The work of restoring many of them has been accom- pushed successfully, but in some instances ME Mccormack has not been altogether satisfied with the efforts. It is d delicate art, and where old canvases have been partially defaced it is most difficult to restore the colors and at the same time preserve the atmosphere of the painting. Besides his collection of canvases MT. Mccormack has many interesting treas nres that he collected since leaving America, some twenty years ago. Room after room is filled with treas ures representing the art of these coun- tries, curious fascinating collection through which you might wander for days and still find much to enthrall you. Tiles from the Alhambra, copies of It's rich facade and interior, old Moorish carvings wonderful Mexican brasses, ex- quistely tinted medallions, tapstries. old carvings from Spanish chapels, the walls lined with mementos of the rich ness and glory of a thousand decorative clements which enter into the religion of Spain, and Mexico and Porto Rico.
 There is a wonderful collection of fans. their exquisitely carved handles of pearl lnlald with gold their delicate little fig ures painted in some romantic theme. These fans sometimes found in the old '. eirio places in the far south, are sold at Fabulous prices. They represent the nrt ON Italy, of France and more than one Mexican and Spanish beauty has been the posstsssor of these fans. which form so heantiral a part of the Mccormack col lection. >
 pbilip,,ipa sL or,,s .,,,e,,, l., A. and eoloring, \are in the Mccormack col lection. N
 Altogether the \collection of canvases, of art treasures \of every description eurios, delicate ,tNaceres and richly carved shields. the 1oat of arms .decorat- ing some rare medalnpn the instruments of penance, of deatht the photographs of fluted piasters, of old cathd ddrals. the blazonry of church Is most valuable.
 Dr and Mrs Mccormack, after long residence abroad, returned to ithis coun- try last winter. Mrs. MeCotnack is a member of an old Alabama family, and is most charming woman. During their short residence in Birmingham they have renewed many old friendships and made many new ones. They are both delight ful and interesting personally Dr. Me Cormack is a Nirginian He Is a brilliant linguist and Mrs. Mccormack is also as familiar with other languages as with her own.
 Mrs Frank l.. Woodruff, formerly of Birmingham, but now of Atlanta. has recently returned from New York, where she had a conference with Dr. William Aen secretary of the New York Society for the Ameoration of the Poor. In an Interview Mrs Woodruff sets forth an interesting part of the work in New York and what is needed in Birmingham along the line of enforcing physical examina- tion of public school children. pr Allen told me many interesting things pertaining to the work being done along many lines under the auspices of the Associated Charities.' sad Mrs.