The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-28

THE CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL
 THEATRE"
 By Alice Minnie Horts. Illustrated from
 Photographs. Harper Brothers, New
 York.
 None Is better able to present the needs and requirements and to tell the story of the institution of which she writes. How 1t was organized and maintained, than Alice Horts, whose "Children's Educa- tional Theatre" Is one of the most inter- esting books published within the past few months.
 Miss Horts has had seven years practi- cal experience in organizing and conduct ing this sort of institution under the auspices of the Educational Alliance ia Manhattan.
 In her book, she tells the reason why such an institution was formed, describes the enthusiasm which it was accorded, and the generosity with which 1t was supported and it's wide reaching Influence.
 The "Childrens Educational Theatre, Is an important and serious book to all interested in the education of the young. Charles w. Elliott, President Emeritns, of Harvard, is of the opinion that Amer lean schools need to study the progress of the Children's Educational Theatre, and adopt it to ordinary day school con ditions.'
 Included among other things in the book are extrcts from lectures by experts in the Educational world, among them being Percy Mackays Prof. George H. Baker, pr Percurl Chubb, Franklin B. Sergeant G. Stanley Hall, and others.
 Miss Morts thinks that the same sort of theatre which she presented to her readers could be established in variods parts of the country and she believes that the dramatic instinct is a primitive inn pulse not to be confused with dramatic talent, which is a specialized form of t. This instinct is new and safe channel, for hitherto undrected stream of hu- man energy.
 The demand of children for interesting entertainment is often met by nothing better than cheap vaudeville or moving picture shows.
 In these performances at the Childrens Educational Theatre players and au- dences were interested and developed artstically, mentally and morally.
 The idea is well presented and deserves notice at the hands of all who are in- terested on such matters.
 THE LIG.'T OF THE GODS" By Grace Granger. The Cosmopolitan
 Press, New York.
 The inspiration of Miss Granger's poems which are presented in a bound little volume, is the Athens of old where culture reached its height-where all the fine arts flourished in a state that nearly approached perfection; the Athens of art, literature, philosophy and states manship; of Pericles Demosthenes, So- phocles and Thucydides.
 Having their source in so true and so full a well spring. Miss Granger's poems are imbued with grandeur, with noble emotion mad with The glory that was Greece"
 Voices speaking eloquently from the distanct past, are tn eruln sof the Par thenon, ''the spot where gods once dwelt with men," where Pallas Athena pre- sided and dispensed wisdom and Of Sunium, and of the fountain of Peirene, and of Mrs. Hill. where stood the Arso- pagus, whose councils ''e'en the gods did grace" and where Paul declared "The Unknown God unto the Athenians.
 In all these classic ruins Miss Granger seems that gleam of life that filtered through the ages to gladden. our hearts today.
 Is it any wonder with such environ- ments as an inspiration. that the poems that composed the collection "The Light of the Gods move along with such grace and majesty. when illumined with such charming bits of description now sug- gesting deep thoughts as to the working out of the great plan in which humanity takes so important a part?
 Perhaps the most beautiful of all the verses is the one entitled Mars HilL' which with singular power and magnifi- cent sweep. bridges over the time that has passed between Athens in all her glory. and these ruins that bear silent, yet profound witness to that giory-the Athens where shone and still shines 'Tho Light of the Gods.'
 The are as follows:
 "Oh Hill of Mars, dlvineiy fair