Life — December 31, 1891 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

VOL. XVIII. DE! 28 West Twent EMBER 31st, 1891. No. 470. Tiurp Street, New York. Published every Thursday. $5.00a year in advance, postage free. Single copies 1o cents. Back numbers can be had by applying to this office. Vol. T., bound, $50.00; Vol. II, bound, $15.00. Back numbers, one year old, 20 cents per copy. Vols. III. to XVII., inclusive, bound or in flat numbers, at $s.co. per velome. . ‘Rejected contributions will be destroyed unless accompanied by a stamped and directed enveloy Subscriber's wishing address changed will greatly facilitate matters by sending old address as well as new. HE New Year be- ing again upon us, here’s wishing to everybody as much of everything as is good for them; not the same amount to each, but to some such a moderate shortage as shall stimulate them to increased endeavors and to others such a su- perfluity as may be needed to apprise them by actual experi- ence that not by “property alone are man’s aspirations to be satisfied. Lire hopes to witness in 1892 a reasonable measure of that annual advance which it is part of our contemporary creed to believe that hu- manity is making. Some particular advances it also hopes to see in its own immediate environment, of which it is enough to set forth two: If 1892 will make significant progress to- ward bringing us cleaner streets, in cities, and better country roads, it will deserve to be held in grateful memory. * . ° these parts, at least, the annals of ‘92 are likely to make good reading. It is the Columbus anniversary year forone thing, and there will be more or less feasting and showing of spectacles on that account, except in the city of Chicago, where action will not be taken until a twelvemonth later. But its great quality is that it will be a presidential year, and, probably, a very lively one, indeed. Put your car to the ground and you will think you already {' hear the brass bands playing in the fall. Possibly you may be able to form an opinion whether they are playing for Cleveland or Flower, or Harrison or Blaine, or McKinley or Pattison, or Campbell or Boies. We shall know all about it before the glad new year takes a back seat. HE_ necrology li make interesting New Year's reading. To go through one usually makes the reader wonder if there can be anyone of much con- sequence left on earth. The list for ‘91 is long and important, and records some pretty serious fissures that have been left in the ranks of society. Nevertheless, the old sphere hums along about the same, and there are figures enough on it that seem worth watching. One figure that comes to the front Ly just at this time is that of Governor Hill, who crosses the line of public vision on his. way from Albany to Washington. Although it has been Mr. Hill's misfortune not to have realized at all times Lirr’s lofty political ideals, it may be said in extenuation of his partial failure that he has been at least as great a disappointment to the Boss Platt as he has to us. While it is true that all the Mugwumps and a good many Democrats are glad to see him pitchforked into the Senate, it is not to be denied that a huge sigh of relief escapes the Republican breast as he turns over the reins at Albany to Mr. Flower, and adjusts himself to the consideration of new duties. It is possible that LIFE may never have occasion to say much about Gov, Hill again. * UMAN life seems as far off as ever from losing the spice that comes of its large variety. Many men are still of many minds, as witness the recent difference of opinion among divers well-inten- tioned folks as to the expediency of regaling a multitude of little East- siders with Christmas cookies in the Madison Square Garden. In- cidentally the occurrence suggests the obtuseness of the managers of the Chicago Fair, in neglecting to avail themselves of the surprising aptitude of Col. Oliver Sumner i Teall, in providing for the diversion i of the populace. Col. Teall is a Chicago should engage him. natural showman. " | *HE contemporary touch of nature which goes farthest toward making the whole world kin, is the grip. Un- like the quality of mercy, it is not mightiest in the mightiest, but treats all its victims badly, without regard to age, s race, color, or previous condition of servitude.