Life, 1889-11-14 · page 10 of 16
Life — November 14, 1889 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine contains two distinct theatrical sketches: **"Seaside Theatricals"** features amateur performances at the seaside. The top illustration shows a quarrel scene from Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," performed by amateur actors. The caption notes this performance precedes a "mutual divorce." **"Didn't Let Him Finish"** shows a legal consultation between a greengrocer and a lawyer. The greengrocer wants to defend himself in court ("advocate"), but the lawyer interrupts, advising him to abandon his profession instead. The humor derives from the lawyer's cynical assumption that the client will lose his case—suggesting incompetent legal representation or the futility of the defendant's position. Both sketches satirize incompetence: amateur theatricals and inadequate legal counsel.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
276 - LIFE: CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES. SEASIDE THEATRICALS. THE QUARREL SCENE FROM THE “TAMING OF THE SHREW,” AS GIVEN ON AN IMPROVISED STAGE BY THE GIFTED AMATEURS, Mrte ® © ® AND Mrs. pe # © # (The performance was a very pronounced success, and the lady will join the professional ranks as soon as the usual divorce pro- ceedings have terminated.) DIDN'T LET HIM FINISH. Greenbagge: NEVER TOUCH A CASE, MY BOY, THAT YOUR CON- SCIENCE WILL NOT PERMIT YOU TO ADVOCATE AND— Briefless (interrupting): WHY, LOOK HERE, 1 HEARD YOU DE- FENDING HUNGRY MIKE, THE BURGLAR, ONLY THE OTHER Day! Greenbagge: AXD, AS I WAS ABOUT TO SAY, YOU MIGHT AS WELL ABANDON YOUR PROFESSION. comicbooks.com