The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-17
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Moi All seven. Perhaps

T have not seen Albert Bigelow Paine 5 biography of Mark Twain, but have been interested in a review in the Literary Di= Rest by Irving Bacheller." said club man.
 T have read most of Mark Twain's books with delight, but I do not assess the popular author at as high value as do some of his admirers. Of course, every one will admit that Mark Twain has a permanent place in literature-a very high place in literature He has done great deal of constructive work, and as for the finer type of story, nothing more moving in the form of a little English classic than his Death Disc has been written. It appeared some years ago in Harper s magazine. I will agree with Mir Bach eller when he says that Mark Twain was one of seven men who in the last 60 years have reconstructed America and voiced it's spirit, but l am inclined to think that the reviewer magnifies uneuly Mark Twain and one or two other of the seven.
 The seven men who have reconstruct ed America and voiced it's spirit were, according to MT. Bacheller, Abraham Iin- coin, Commodore Vandeeb.lt, Thomas A. Edisen, Horace Greeley, Mark Twain, William Dean Howells and Walt Whit man.
 Was not Lanier as truly an American poet as Whitman? And was he not a greater poet? According to my way of thinking Whitcomb Riley is a greater poet than Whitman, although much of Whit mans verse bears the stamp of genius. Everyone will agree that Lincoln belongs to the great seven class Commodore Vanderbilt is worthy Of remembrance, but am not prepared To agree with. MT. Bacheller in his appraisement of him. All will agree on Edison. Most men will agree on Horace Greeley. but there will be many exceptions. I believe, to Mark Twain, Willam.fDean Howells and W Walt Whitman Yet I do not underrate for a mouent the achievements of either of theFe men.
 2 With regard to the subject of his re- view, Irving Bacheller says among other things this: Mark Twain had way of thinking that was all his own. Most men go straight to their subject Mark Twain attacked on the flank or rear. His tac- tics were unique. His books began to ar rive when they were sorely needed; when the land was depressed by the immeasur- able losses of a great war. Moreover, 1t was in the bonds of ancient Puritanism. The straight and narrow way was like tight rope across a chasm with hell in all directions save one, It may be said to have extended from the Atlantic ocean westward to the Mississippi. Every Sab bath day men were the prey of cold victuals dncluding the baked beam and Indigestion. The human liver joined the inhuman clergy in an effort to sadden and depress the land. Wednesday even ing and Sunday from dawn to bedtime the hearts of men were refilled with self abhorrence and gloomy fear-whether for good or i'll it is not for me to say. As matter of fact, Sunday was set apart for the consideration of temporal and eternal perils which flung their shadows across the week. In the meeting house, the rustic school building, the stately church, organ, choir and congregation united in the expression of doleful sen timents and fears to be repeated by many flreside in the evening hour '"