Life, 1886-12-23 · page 5 of 18
Life — December 23, 1886 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Analysis This page from *Life* magazine contains satirical commentary on the clergy and a theatrical illustration, rather than political cartoons. The text section "What the Ballet Thinks of the Clergy" presents quotes from dancers criticizing priests. Signora Trippa and others argue clergy work hard and deserve respect, while Signer de Frisc contends the "average person has as much appreciation of beauty as a mule" and fears clergy will ruin ballet if they advocate for it. The large illustration below depicts "Christmas Theatricals at Shantytown," showing a crowded indoor theatrical performance from "The Lady of Lyons," with actors on a raised platform. The scene satirizes amateur theatrical productions, likely mocking poorly-staged Christmas performances in working-class neighborhoods. The page blends social commentary on class, religion, and entertainment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LUBE : WHAT THE BALLET THINKS OF THE CLERGY. OW that the public are so well informed as to the Clergy’s opinion of the ballet, L1FE feels it a duty to present the views of some of our leading danseuses, concerning the Clergy. Mlle. Skippi says: ‘1 have no serious objection to the preachings of the clergy. A man may be a very good parson, and yét have no sympathy for art, but as a class, I consider them honest men. They are tiresome and uninteresting, but I attend church regularly as an example to my children.” | | | | | Signora Pirouetta di Highjumpi says : “‘ The original purpose | of the clergy was a commendable one. hood have, of course, furnished some spicy reading for the newspapers, but that is noreason why they should be tabooed asa class.” Signor del Frisc, maitre de ballet, is more emphatic : “ The | | | | | | average parson has as much appreciation of beauty as amule. His one horror is to see others happy. My only fear is that they will advocate the ballet. If they do, they will make it a bore, a nuisance, a terror, as with everything they’touch.” Many of the brother- | 397 Signora Trippa says: “I consider them no worse than the rest of us. The average sermon is a pretty hard thing to sit through, I know, but they have as much right to earn a living in their way, as we have in ours.” Mlle. Ballanciére says: “Yes, I attend church regularly, and should hate to see the clergy abolished: although I do not care to associate with them in private life, 1 have much respect for their teachings.” HIS LAST REQUEST, AVE you any last request to make?” asked the Sheriff, as he placed the knot where it would do “ | the most good. “Yes,” replied the doomed ‘man; “please see that my picture is not published in the New York World.” UEEN VICTORIA is teaching the new German baby to say grosemutter. Ir takes nine tailor-made dresses to make a girl. CHRISTMAS THEATRICALS AT SHANTYTOWN. GARDEN SCENE FROM ‘‘ THE LADY OF LYONS.” Claude Melnotte—Mr. Durry HOOLIHAN. Pauline Deschapelles—Datsy MAGUIRE.