Life — May 28, 1885 — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- LIFE: THE MARCH OF THE LION. PERENNIAL, NEUMONIA has gone—or is going. And while we are in a state of delightful uncertainty as to whether the cholera will take its place, we have much to be grateful for. Thank heaven! the base-ball fever has not been winter- killed ! We have learned from time to time during the dull season that Smith, of the St. Louis Club, was keeping a hat store in Kalamazoo ; that Jones, of the Bostons, was carrying on the undertaking profession at Cuttyhunk, and that Brown, of the Detroits, was smashing trunks at Harlem. These cheering | symptoms that the base-ball fever was sleeping and not dead have buoyed our hopes in the weary winter months, and have led us to tremblingly hope for its annual outbreak about April 1st. Nor have we hoped in vain. Messrs. Smith, Jones and Brown have given over their questionable callings, and have sprung into the arena. Once more the condition of the arm of the pitcher of the local.club is the chief topic of con- versation ; and the home-plate resumes its position as the corner-stone of the whole social structure. We are glad to see that the Press, actuated by the spirit of kindliness which prompts it to lay on our breakfast tables a glowing account of the last moments of a condemned mur- derer, and to supply the family circle with minute details of the latest criminal outrage—we rejoice that the Press will this year give the customary prominence to base-ball and things thereunto appertaining. A matter of such national import- ance calls for this consideration. Affairs foreign and do- mestic dwindle in comparison, and should be relegated to the obscure corners of the sheets which their insignificance deserves. This is as it should be—and the public appreciates such editorial catering to their appetite. “The semi-occasional old fogy who indulges in a somewhat-too-much-of-this | growl merits the snubbing his conservatism engenders. Néver mind Wolseley ; cut out the Penjdeh conundrum; we | do n't want to be bothered by the Roach-Dolphin-Whitney imbroglio. The burning question of to-day is whether Robinson can catch, and why more balls are not called on | Snooks. A man was shot in Broadway last week in broad daylight. The coroner's jury found it a case of justifiable homicide, upon learning that the deceased had courted death at the hands of his slayer by saying that of the two evils, cholera or base-ball, he preferred the cholera! The summary justice this incendiary met at the hands of an outraged public is as praiseworthy as it is exceptional. Ovell. E had the pleasure of a first sip of Mr. Frohman’s specially prepared draught of theatrical respectability. The draught had a dash of brains in it, and was enjoyed by a difficile audience of managers, journalists and many others. Mr. Frohman has picked a company from the Lyceum Theatre School, and proposes giving performances of light comedy. His plan is to “grow” a good stock company, which shall devote itself rather to the domestic and clergy- manic side of dramatic art. At the performance on Tuesday “Cape Mail” and “ Doing for the Best” were given, and given charmingly. Miss Sully, who took part in both plays, merits even special notice as giving promise of exceptional talent. We wish Mr. Frohman all success, and surely a company which shall merit the adjective “good,” in both its meanings, will appeal to a large constituency. . . . ISS COGHLAN’S benefit on Thursday last was a most gratifying success to that lady, and seems an auspicious omen of her approaching efforts under her own management. The impressions of “ Our Joan” on the op- posite page are taken from rehearsals at the Grand Opera House, where the new play will be presented next Monday evening. It has been recast and much more elaborately set than when presented at Wallack’s, and will undoubtedly catch the popular fancy. “ STILL waters run deep; and they will continue to, de- spite the temperance societies. Mors-Vivens. comicbooks.com