Life, 1889-02-07 · page 7 of 16
Life — February 7, 1889 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine features an article about **Mrs. James Brown Potter**, a prominent theatrical performer of the late 19th century. The top illustration shows her surrounded by admiring dogs, a visual metaphor for her popularity and ability to command attention. The text describes Potter's rise from humble beginnings to theatrical success, emphasizing her intelligence and ambition. It notes her connection to the Prince of Wales and her influence with theatrical managers. Below is a separate illustrated joke titled "A Regular Freeze-Out," depicting a traveler encountering someone sitting in the cold. The humor appears to involve wordplay about freezing and a pup (puppy/dog). The page combines theatrical biography with unrelated comic humor typical of *Life's* mixed content approach during this period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE’S GALLERY OF BEAUTIES. MRS. MRS. JAMES BROWN POTTER. RS. JAMES BROWN POTTER, nce Urquhart, nom de bap- téme Cora, came upon this cheerless and unsympathetic earth with a lofty mission to fulfil. Even in her tenderest months, the months of flannel, milk-bottles and soothing-syrup, she had a purpose in view. Often she lay in her tiny crib in deep contemplation, with an undeveloped thumb in an immature mouth, only to break finally into wild outcries, And, as Pere Urquhart, with muttered curses, arose from his downy couch and turned up the gas, he little thought that his offspring was grieving over the decadence of the drama, and repin- ing that so many years must elapse before she might reach woman- hood and elevate the stage. Often, while she was still young and thoughtless, before she was able to talk or communicate impressions to her relatives and at- tendants other than deep emotion caused by pins or gastric disturb- ances, she felt impelled to send for a newspaper reporter and confide her purpose to his secretive bosom. But, when discretion came with her first teeth, she resolved not to disclose her high aims until she should have an opportunity to discuss the matter with Mr. A. E. Guelph, who was then performing the duties of his situation as Prince of Wales, and who, though not connected with a newspaper, possessed considerable influence with theatrical managers, and had dead-head seats at several London theatres. The time came at last when she was able to consult Mr. Guelph ; and, that benevolent gentleman approving her plans and promising to exert his influence in her behalf, she at once proceeded to Pai spent several weeks at the Worth School of Acting, graduating with some of the most illustrious costumes ever seen in any drama. At present she is still elevating the stage; and, though the jaun- diced envy of the rest of the dramatic world—which has bought up the newspaper critics—has prevented her receiving the laurel crown thus far, she is ready to put it on when the time comes for her dis- interested efforts to receive proper recognition. No. 4. JAMES BROWN POTTER. It is with genuine pleasure that we record that Mrs. Potter's dis- position is not corroded by the acid of ingratitude. She is still kind to the Prince of Wales, permits him to call upon her when she is playing in his town, and leaves orders at the box-office to give him seats for his friends or his family as often as he cares to attend the performances TWREHR, A REGULAR FREEZE-OUT. Traveler: SAY, BOY, WHAT ARE YOU SITTING THERE FOR? You'LL FREEZE TO DEATH. Boy (between his chattering teeth): WHY, DE OLE MAN TOLE ME FER TO TAKE DER PUP OUT AN’ DROWN HIM; BUT DE ICE ON DER CREEK IS TWO FEET THICK, $0 I THOUGHT I'D SIT HERE AN! FREEZE HIM TO DE, comicbooks.com