The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-11

Already society is on the wing, due, of course, to the heat. which has been so much more intense than ever before in Birmingham this summer. Many fashionable folk left town last week, and, indeed. before June Is ended there will have been a scattering to the four corners of the globe. Next "Wednesday a party will leave for Europe, some have gone to the mountains and shore while the springs still exert strong ap- peal
 Birmingham, however, does not threaten utter desertion by any means. The gayety which was continuous last week promises to be continued through the next and the one to come The presence of a number of interesting vis- itors is adding zest to affairs of a social nature.
 Mir. Adair Hickman, the young Bir- minsham man who had achieved consid- erable distinction as a singer in Chi cago before his departure for Europe two years go. is in the city for short visit to his mother. He will remain fin this country until August, returning to pursue his study of voice in Berlin, where he expects to make his debut in opera within the next year.
 MT Hickman gives an interesting'ac- count of his foreign stay. It has been made up chiefly of hard work. of which he tells with a bouyance and zest which bespeak enormous ambition and the store of energy of which his robust
 p1Dnl1ant He has had as his instructor in vocal work Franz Proschowsky, Russian of note His Italian opera training has been received under Vittorino Morati with whom he has spent many of his working hours during the past two years.
 MT. Hickman delighted all who heard him sing during a visit to Birmingham just before his departure for Europe, and 1t is hoped that at several draw ing room recitals at least they will be given an opportunity to hear him again.
 Another interesting young Birming' ham musician is Miss Bessie Hand, whC returned yesterday after a stay of two years in Dresden and Berlin. Miss Hand has had for the past two years the instruction of Frau Anna Gfpsen, e concert pianist of high repute in Eu- rope. Frau Gipsen resided in Dresden when Miss Hand first became her pu- pil but later, in order to have the superior musical advantages of Berlin, she removed to that place. Miss Hand accompanied her. thus continuing with the same teacher throughout her stay abroad. Frau Gipsen will tour Amer lea next year and it may be possible that Miss Hands friends will have an opportunity to hear her play.
 Miss Hand is the niece of MT. and Mrs. W. R. Dlckerson. She accom- panied Miss Ellen Dickerson abroad. the latter to study voice, which she has done. so reports say, with fine re- suits. Miss Hand has fitted herself for the teaching of music and her ca reer will be wa he'd with success by the many who are interested in her be- cause of the sweetness of her nature and her earnest ambition. She will make her home here with her uncle, MT. J. D. Collins, though she will prob ably open studio.
 
 Mrs. Leonard T. Beecher will leave today to attend the exercises at the Northwestern university at which she will have conferred upon her the de- gree of Master of Arts, in recognition of her work for literature. Birmingham Is very proud, indeed of this remarka- ble woman, whose achievements in the art of dramatic expression have been so dignified by this great college. She is the only woman who has ever been given so beautiful a compliment and her friends await the news of the ex- ercises which will confer upon her this enviable distinction.
 
 The third in the series of terrace teas at the Country club yesterday more than ever justified the promise that this would popularize the club for its members It has become firmly launched as a social institution. Many motored out yesterday between and 2 o'clock to join the tea drinkers on the lawn, delighting in the informality of the clubs al fresco en- tertainment. The three hostesses next week will be Mrs. w. s. Lowell, Mrs. J, D. Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Bruce Brewer
 Miss Dora Dawson, whose photograph appears today, Is the proud posssssor of a handsome gold medat won this week