Life, 1894-04-26 · page 5 of 20
Life — April 26, 1894 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Page Analysis This page from *Life* magazine (Volume XXIII, Number 591) contains satirical theatrical and social commentary. The main illustration, titled "All's Not Gold That Glitters," depicts a stage scene with actors in elaborate costumes, satirizing theatrical pretension. The quoted dialogue mocks the contrast between an actress's glamorous stage persona and her real life disappointments—"a happy life you must lead! What an actress" versus the reality of marital discord. The text sections discuss architectural ambitions and Chicago society. "In Two Short Weeks" praises a new building's artistic merit despite incomplete finishing details. "Exacting Chicago" appears to criticize Theodore Thomas (likely the conductor) for supposedly cutting corners on musical quality for financial gain. The dialogue between Dr. Bolus and Miss Gracie Young offers social commentary on class aspirations and societal expectations of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XxiIll. NUMBER 591. ALL’S NOT GOLD THAT GLITTERS. Stage-struck Maiden: Actress: OH, THERE ARE DISAPPOINTMENTS. WHaT A HAPPY LIFE YOU MUST LEAD! THE MAN I KISSED IN THE PLAY TO-NIGHT IS MY HUSBAND. I wisn I WAS AN ACTRESS. IN TWO SHORT WEEKS. F course our new building is finished, not in the full perfection of its beauty, but there _ is already enough to gladden the —=? heart. Certain crowning glories of sculpture, mosaic, stained glass, and marble wainscoting are not yet completed. The apartments overhead, although of exquisite proportions and furnished with every possible conveni- ence, only suggest, as yet, the artistic homes they will become in two short weeks. For immaculate style and debasing comfort these rooms are so far superior to any- thing heretofore achieved in a similar field that comparisons are impossible. They are already going, by the way, and Lire feels it his duty to advise those friends who think of lodging in these Olympian precincts to put in their claims at once. Otherwise they may find themselves in the unfortunate Position of the Peri outside the gates of Paradise. EXACTING CHICAGO. pS) THERE may be barnacles on Gotham, 6 but LIFE suspects that Mr, Theodore Thomas will be as glad to see this com- paratively deliberate old town again as this town will be to see him, It may be only a wicked story, but it is told that Mr. Thomas had to cut the “ res out of much of his music in order to satisfy Chicago's conviction that it was not getting good value for its money unless all the Thomas musicians played hard all the time. R. BOLUS: And how are you enjoying life, my dear? Miss GRACIE YOUNG: Oh, not very well, doctor; you see, I'm not in society yet. Dr. Botus: Is that possible? Why, I clearly remember being present at your first ball!