Life, 1883-10-04 · page 5 of 16
Life — October 4, 1883 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Page 161 Analysis This page contains two distinct sections: **"But Natural"** (left): A poem about a romantic encounter at the beach, culminating in the speaker's regret at a missed social opportunity. It's sentimental Victorian-era verse typical of Life's humor—mocking overly earnest romantic poetry through understated rejection. **"Agnus Fatuus in Wall Street"** (right): A satirical piece about Henry Irving, a celebrated actor of the era, whose unauthorized biography was published. The text criticizes the book as exploitative gossip dressed up as serious literature. The accompanying illustration shows a hot-air balloon (labeled "Agnus Fatuus"—Latin for "foolish fire," a will-o'-the-wisp), mocking how such publicity inflates actors' egos. The satire targets both invasive celebrity biography and the theatrical world's vanity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
BUT NATURAL. MET her at the beach least year, And danced her down a dozen dances; Arrayed in swallow-tail ’t was clear I stood the very best of chances; We lingered on the Promenade And parleyed personal reflections :— She even hinted that her Pa'd Have no objections. I own I felt encouraged then To rid my heart's prevailing passion, So in the manner of all men I made love in the modern fashion ; I soiled a pair of broad-cloth knees And grew as sentimental as a Poor mortal can—in slow degrees— On the piazza. This afternoon upon Broadway I passed her looking sweet as ever, I wore my summer suit of grey— ‘Tis rather shabby, true,—however, I raised my hand to touch my hat, Responsive to the smile she'd show me; It grieves me sore to mention that She didn’t know me! Dempy. With a royal fanfare of journalistic drums comes Mr. Henry Irving to our stage, and with his coming an anonymous 200 page compilation, entitled “Henry Irving. A short account of his Public Life,” published by William S. Gottsberger, New York. In the preface, the author modestly says : “ This little book does not pretend to be more than a compila- tion. The author has had no special opportunities for obtaining any private information, and has never ‘ interviewed" Mr. Irving. The history of his progress as an artist is public property for those who know where to seek it ; but to those who do not, or who lack time and patience, the facts and opinions here col- lected for the first time cannot fail to be interesting, if the man and his art appeal to their sympathies.” This reads very smoothly, and promises well. Further, the author says : “ The facts remain: the great fact—Henry Irving himself ; and the accessory fact that he is ¢ée English speaking actor of our time,” Here we begin to perceive the griffe of the advance agent. Now read: “We have heard a story of a damsel of good degree whose dream in life it was to touch Henry Irving, if it were but the hem of his garment, and who, to this end was content to wait outside the theatre after a performance of Hamlet, and open his cab door. *LIFE- 161 What was her delight when—unconscious no doubt of the fair one’s rank in life*—he rewarded her services with a penny which she ever after wore on her watch chain ! Se non vero € ben frovato. On another occasion, a party of maiden enthusiasts were so happy as to pick up a plore dropped by the opject of their admiration— four fingers, a thumb, the palm, the back—seven precious frag- ments to treasure in their desks !" Now this is about the most ineffable trash with which an actor has been smeared by way of advertisement, even in this age of toadyism and puffery. If the author adhered simply to facts or to sensible criticism, the book would be of value, even were it clearly stamped with his agent's ear-mark, for it certainly contains much information about the actor which is of interest; but as it is loaded down with frippery and maudlin sentiment, it will prove as nauseous to the-public as it no doubt has already to Mr. Irving himself. AGNUS FATUUS IN WALL STREET. Vv. Assem habeas, assem valeas, HAT evening at the Conglomerate Club Ag- nus Fatuus wassublime. He —_ magnanimously treated Silenus to wine. He knew it was wine, — for the list said so and the price was a wine price; otherwise he might have thought it rancid soda water de- bauched by New Eng- land rum. Silenus learned of the day's operations, He expressed no sur- prise, but significantly asked Agnus how long he thought his“ luck would last. Agnus gave him the capitalist smile — that smile which only illumines the human face when a rich man affably converses with a poor but well-meaning friend—and informed his guest that there did n't seem to be much luck about it; that making profits on stock operations called for judgment and nerve. “And can you buy these ready-made?” sneered Silenus. Agnus explained that he was naturally endowed with great mental force and rare grasp of mind in fin- ancial matters. That he would make Silenus himself rich if he (Silenus) would but follow good counsel and benefit by his (Agnus’) experience. - The aged, wary, scarred veteran choked—voiceless * The italics are ours. Ep, Lire. comicbooks.com