The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-25

ROSES OF RICHEST TYPE PROVE
 THE EXCELLENCE OF BIRMlNe
 HAMS RosE-GRoWlNe soiL-A
 VISIT TO coNsERVAToRY-THE
 WEEKS EVENTs-socIETY AN
 TIclPATING MUSIC FESTIVAL.
 visitor in Birmingham this week of more than usual charm was Mir. Henry L. Mason of Boston. who is well known in the world musical and was here in con nection with his interest in one of tho slocal plano firms. A typical Bostonian. he lis conversant with matters both literary and social, one of those graceful men of the world that one gains from always. He is travelled, cultured and, above all has cultivated that utterly fascinating 'habit of interesting himself in every af fair that seems worth while to these with whom he comes In contact. The other afternoon he was a member of draw tns-room group. among who were several who have lived in Birmingham for sev- eral years, and in the course of conversa- ton 1t developed that after visit of three days he was familiar with local in Ierests and localities that were yet to be discovered by Birmingham residents. Despite the somewhat depressing weather, he had climbed Red Mountain and viewed l5he city from its rugged heights. When ihe various attractive sites about town were mentioned he immediately sought to connect them with familiar landmarks which had especially impressed him. The furnaces he had not visited, but was all Interest when the reasons for the pink gslow that overspreads portions of the evening sky were made known. The new ,Age-Herald building was mentioned and he Immediately asked its location. Fifth avenue and Fist street. somewhat out of the beaten track of business folk s place you probably do not know" He Thought a moment. then, Oh yes, that must he about one square east of the Southern club he said which, of course Twas subtly aattering to one who has the Interest Of the building so closely at heart.
 MT. Mason Is a man of exquisitely liter ary tastes, a lover of all that is best in the classics and looking for the credits ble in modern work. "I am so glad" he observed. "to learn that an accurate story 
 Nelch has at last come from the publish CTS. Mrs. Mason. knowing my interest In Carlyle sent me some of the advance notices a few days Q go. and I was much impressed 1 have always thought it un- fortunate that the world should not have a true story of Carlyle. It was a great man. you know, that could stand F'roude's g criticisms and still retain the admiration of his contemporaries and the book lovers who came after them"
 Have you visited Carlyle's home?" he was asked.
 "Yes, a few years ago l made a very pleasant pilgrimage to the house in which he had lived and conversed with the care faker in charge-Mrs. Strong. who is a Carlyle worshiper and told me a number of incidents in the life of the man that I have never seen in print I was espe- cially impressed with story she told of 2 visit from Tennyson for whom the au- thor had a great liking. Jane Weleh Carlyle 1t seems. could not endure the odor of tobacco, so her husband always smoked in little basement room. Tenny- son called one evening at about ocloc1 and after greeting him the two repaired to the cellar for a smoke. They sat puff fng away at their long church-warden pipes till the evening ended. After sev- eral hours of silent communion, the poet rose to take his leave. "Good-by, Alfred D said the author. "it has been a very pleasant evening"" Yes" agreed Tenny- son 'it has been a pleasant evening""
 MT. Mason is doubly interesting be- cause of hls familiarity with the great musicians of the time He is tn e grandson of Lowell Mason. known as the father of American music, and the author of such familiar hymns as 'Nearer My God to Thee" My Faith Looks Up to Thee" and scores of oth- CTS. From his grandfather and from his uncle, William Ma son, who is bet ter known pianist than his father, MT. Mason inh erits interesting and Valuable memento. Lowell Mason be- gan collecting the autographs of famous musicians. the greatest of his day being cherished in his collection. which was continued by both MT, Will liam Macon and MT. Henry Mason and is now a prized possession of the lat ter.
 Though alert and active in his fn- terest in other topics MT. Mason is of course vitally interested In music. He h, by the way, pianist of ability, playing for a time when quite a lad as the accompanist with Ole Bull, and in- deed Is not the only member of his family who is thus talented, his brcth- CT. MT. Gregory Mason, being com poser of much promise. After his dis Fcussion of other musical topics he spoke of the decided develoment of the musical atmosphere in Birmin ghe m and r0f the two music clubs with whose work he was quite familiar. Tn my Spinion." he said, "the Music Study and the Treble Clef clubs are splendid lcragnization and are doing a wonder