The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-31

/ place no other tenor probably can
I ever take was attained in ways few
people remotely suspect.
How he developed, the obstacles
he had to overcome, the hardships,
heartaches and disappointments he
experienced are all recorded faith
fully in this biography.
The human side of Caruso is re-
vealed on almost every page, for it
is more than an accurate record of
an amazing career, to be preserved
for the enlightenment of this and
any future generation. The
singers foibles and his excellences
are both disclosed to the reader
all of them woven into a story of
absorbing interest that is colorful
and picturesque from beginning to
end. And throughout the book APP
pear anecdotes concerning Caruso
and other notable men and women;
among the rulers, diplomats, mem
bers of the nobility, great COM
posers and artists, not a few of
whom have contributed valuable in
formation to make complete an inn
portant and necessary work.
Mr.. Key has caught, with search
ing penetration, the essentials need
ed for sound and enduring book;
but he has moulded them, by his
readable and vivid style, into mar
rative that moves easily and fasci-
natingly to its close.
Of my acquaintance with Mr..
Caruso, which | cheerfully and
frankly say is one of the outstand-
ing milestones in my life, can
truthfully say nothing was ever
more charming or more agreeable.
/ have met the great and NEAR
great" and Caruso's simplicity, his
kindness, his gentleness and his
thoughtfulness of others, placed
him in a class all to himself be
loved of all who knew him.
shall never forget the after
noon | finally got an interview"
with Mr.. Caruso; and | say final
ly" advisedly-for it was only after
many trials that | at last succeeded
in doing so--and how he sat before
his piano and sang like an angel,
how he sat before his writing desk
and drew some of his inimitable
cartoons" of various people; of
his pride in showing US the mar
Vicious book presented to him by
the board of directors of the opera
in Buenos Aires where he had sung
the summer before--showing him
in all the marvellous roles he por-
trayed.s
1t was something to remember.
The world owes a debt of graft
tude to Pierre ". r. Key and
Bruno Zirato for the marvellous
legacy they have given to the world
of an authentic and interesting life
| story of Enrico Caruso.
"The Divine Sarah"
| When this story goes to press
"the Divine Sarah" may vet be
alive, or her spirit may be in an
! other land where dreams come true
and hearts are at peace and poor,
tired, worn bodies at last are at
! rest
Ten years ago Sarah Bernhardt
made her last visit to Birmingham.
She was then what would be
called an "old woman"-if she had
been, anybody but "the Divine
| Sarah"
The afternoon | had the pleasure
of meeting her, and tried to keep
up with her rapid fire French in
most marvellous story she gave me
II recall so wildly how this won
derful woman looked as she re-
clined on couch in her private
car, daring at her age to allow the
rays of crimson sun to stream
through the windows full upon her.
Il shall never grow DID, Madame
Bernhardt said in her most perfect
French I interpreted by her sec
retary), "for while the heart is
young the body cannot grow old"
Near her stood Monsieur Lou
Tellegen-then just 27-on his
first visit to America, her leading
man. and all unknown and un-
heard of then.
| The contrast was very great
youth triumphant; age none the
less ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Who that has read December
Love-" that marvellous story of
Robert Hichens-his latest story,
by the way-can but sympathize
with the marvellous Lady Selling
worth who, although seeing the
wrinkles in her once beautiful face
noting the gray hairs in her once
beautiful head, her friends saying
of her
"C'est fini,'
| Yet
| All the while, her bouyant, young
heart, defying times ravages and
keeping her still in love with life
and youth.
Lady Sellingworth, Mr.. Hichens'
wonderfully drawn character, is in
a measure very like "the Divine
Sarah"-trying to keep up the bril-
liant pretense of being an untiring
Amazon, crammed full of the
"joie de vivre"-yet at last like
all the rest having to admit that
neither tide nor time can be beaten
up to a certain mark.
Sarah Behnhardt, the idol of
Paris" Sarah Bernhardt perhaps
the greatest actress the world has
ever known-will live in the hearts
and minds of people long after
her gallant spirit unconquerable
and unafraid, marching bravely on
through the mists-"far out upon
that unknown sea which rolls round
all the world"
L'Envoi
Then here's to the coming year
A prayer, a song, cry,
To the God of Passing Years
| Who gives us strength