Life, 1896-11-26 · page 15 of 24
Life — November 26, 1896 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains theatrical criticism and political satire typical of 1890s Life magazine. **Theater Criticism:** The text discusses actor Richard Mansfield's dramatic season, criticizing both his ambitions and the state of theater generally. It mentions the "Dancing Bacchante" statue that Boston's Art Commission rejected but New York welcomed—a real controversy about whether a statue depicting a nude female figure was appropriate for public display. The satire notes the Commission may have decided without seeing the actual sculpture. **Political Satire:** The Kansas section attacks Populism ("Popocracy"), specifically criticizing William Jennings Bryan and socialist/populist politicians. The author warns other states to observe Kansas's economic decline as a cautionary tale against populist policies. **Cartoons:** Small illustrated jokes accompany the text, including one about ducks mocking a child, and another titled "Her Proclivity" about a gossipy woman ("scorcher" slang for a fast woman). The page reflects elite anxieties about populism, artistic propriety, and theatrical standards in the 1890s.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*LIFE: effects. It wasa pity itcould not have included his entire stock of irascible speeches. These were a mistake, as have been some of his appearances. Far be it from us in these days to decry artistic ambition, but if Mr. Mansfield would only curb his to his powers, and let sincerity and good taste take the place of efforts for notoriety, he would have the moral support of the large number of theatre-lovers who recognize his ability. . . ° ~~ O far, the dramatic season has been a most uneventful one. The fingers of one hand would be a liberal allowance for counting the pronounced successes. ELBA It would be difficult to state the exact reason, but it might be found some- where between the long-continued hard times which made capital timid for new ventures, and the degenerating effect of concentrating theatrical enterprise in the hands of a few sharks who are in the {business only for what moncy there may be in it. It may be a too despondent view, but, judged by the present season, the profession of acting is going to the dogs—or the vaudeville stage. Metcalfe. TH Dancing Bacchante that Boston's Art Commission turned away, had paid a visit to New York and been welcomed with ac- clamations, when, behold, word comes that the Trustees of the Boston Library were not bound by the Art Commission's decision, and had a mind to take Mrs. Bacchante in spite of all. So back she has gone, to pose in the Library court and see how the surroundings become her. Too bad! too bad! It looked as though Gotham might get her, and a charming, cheering party she is, and pleasant to take. There is a rumor, by the way, that the Boston Art Commission never saw the actual statue, but had to give its verdict after inspection of pictures and a plaster cast. If that is true, it extenuates the Commission's mistake. “Quack! AIN'T 1 cHic?” K ANSAS seems to have taken it upon herself to serve as an object HER PROCLIVITY. lesson of the effects of Popocracy. She has been given over to M R. DOLLEY: She is always running Pefferism, Leaseism, and every kind of noxious political whim for some people down, years, and has steadily lost wealth and population, Now she has Mr. GuRLEY: A gossip, ch ? chosen Bryan electors, a Populist State government, and a Socialist “No, a scorcher.” Chief Justice who has recorded his conviction that the rights of the users of property are para- mount to the rights of the owner of it. Keep watch of Kansas; read the statistics of her pro- gress and notice ‘which way it tends. The ex- periment she is making is far too costly to be wasted. No state that needs the lesson she is learning should miss the chance to get it at her expense. SS The Duckling: THERE GOES THE OLD TURK THAT LAUGHED AT US FOR BEING KIDS, OH, SAV! comicbooks.com