Life — November 17, 1887 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

* LIFE: FOR THE BEST. VY ES, we were lovers once—a little space, My heart grew ‘neath the glory of her face Her slightest touch awaked a tender thril 1 lived to do the bidding of her will. I was her slave, demanding, asking nought, Save but to give her every tender thought Of perfect love. My bleeding heart she thrust Beneath her cruel feet within the dust. My life was blighted twenty little d But for this wanton act I give her praise ; About her lost love care I not a speck, My poem on it brought a handsome check. SRY IRVING is a consummate artist, and never was this fact so apparent as in his exquisite production of * Faust” at the Star ‘Theatre —a representation so dignified, that applause seemed ridic- ulously out of place, calls before the curtain irrelevant, and the speech at the end grotesque. After having been thrilled with Margaret's sad story and electrified by the devil’s Machiavelianism, it does seem so unsatisfactory to have that devil appear and thank the ‘ladies and gentlemen” for their welcome, at the same time that he begs them to come again and see him — in fact, to come several tim This speech is as complete a disallusion as if, after the apotheosis, we were called upon to look at Miss Terry partaking of oysters and Clicquot. Mr. Irving probably considers, however, that his art need not be exercised after the final fall of the curtain, During the entr'actes it was delicious to note that the audience was not treated to the irrelevant and perpetual * melody of popular airs,” jinglesome waltzes, and ridiculous polkas. Mr, Irving's spirit dominated his music, It was thoroughly appropriate. As Mephistopheles, the tragedian, in my humble opinion, made an undeniable success. Such a novel mode of treating the devil, I have never seen, The King of Evil is a finnicking, sardonic, cynical sort of adiplomat. He isa kind of unearthly Blaine. Mr. Irving’s Mephistopheles is decidedly humorous at times, “1 wonder where Martha will go when she dies,” he says.‘ / won't have her.” When in the witches’ kitchen the principal cook describes her toothsome compound of snakes, adders, toads, and other delicacies, + Stop,” says Afephistopheles, * you make our mouths water.” Of Miss Ellen Terry's Margaret enough cannot be said in praise. * Her artlessness, her innocence and her tenderness are so admirably portrayed that one forgets the fact that Miss Terry's face itself is not quite young enough for the role. Mr. Irving has spared no efforts to make his representation as realistic as possible, The summit of the Brocken is really a striking scene, with its demons, Walpurgis dance, clouds and other eerie accessories, Some people were wondering how Mr. Irving would look coming up a trap-door and disappearing therein. He would have looked ridiculous, and [knew he would never make his entrances and his exits in that manner. He contented himself with moving about in a limping, not at all immortal manner, The company is an excellent one. Even the supers are trained far better than many speaking members of companies I have seen, Mrs. Chippendale is an amusing Aferéha, and Mr, Alexander's Faust is by no means to be scoffed at. Alan Date, Use Ellen Terry, ‘Sara Bernhardt and Modjeska brace up and get some better clothes they will be left way behind by Mrs. Potter. PUMPKIN, WITH THE “P.” C' TOMER (én Roston restaurant): Gimme some pun- kin pi Boston WAITER (reproachfully): What kind of pie, sir? CusToMeR: Punkin. Waiter: Yes, sit (vociferously). Pump-kin pie for one! NEEDLESS ANXIETY. VY ounc MOTHER (displaying the baby): think he looks like his father, Mr. Oldboy ? MR. OLppoy: Well, ye'es, there is a family resemblance ; but it isn’t striking enough to worry about. Do you HAD HIM THERE! Cot. Guff: 1 Mr, LARD, THAT YOU ARE CHARGING ME FORTY-FIVE AND FIFTY CENTS A POUND FOR BUTTER Now. WHAT IS THIS HIGH PRICE OWING TO? Mr, Lard: Wt, 1T 18 CHIEFLY OWING To ME, CoL. GuFF, AND I SHOULD FEEL VERY MUCH OBLIGED IF YOU COULD MAKE IT CONVENIENT TO PAY UP. comicbooks.com