Life — November 25, 1897 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

Gusravus Damo, Second Officer, rye between. hear no more of this. I then took Paul Friture, chef de cursine, down into my private cabin, where we laid out the courses for the day. Nov, 18.—The wind continues fair, and I have not ordered steam up, as we took on only two tons of coal in port, there not being room for more in the hold, the space between decks being taken up with cooking utensils and provisions. I am afraid that Tooter Loud, geologist and stoker, will give me sometrouble. I have discovered that he would rather geologize than stoke, and has actually brought some books on geology with him. He is evidently not aware of the true purpose of this expedition, and whata small figure real science cuts compared with the handsome figure we expect to realize. I shall suppress Loud. Passed Cape Cod at two bells, but Ididn’t go on deck, asI was reading Major Pond’s letter of instructions. Nov. 19.—Pond has the right idea. ‘‘We are out for the dust,” he writes, ‘dnd when you get back I shall be prepared. I'll hire the Lotus Club and give you a big dinner and send you on the regulation tour. Inthe meantime be writing your book, and practice ‘Take your places and let me BJORNSEN CRANK, Engineer. - LIFE: up on your elocution. The Press is with us.” We anchored over night off Cottage City, and I senta boat ashore for two more sets of pokerchips, We'll need them when we play freezeout. It begins to grow colder—we must be nearing Boston. Nov, 20.—Stillatanchor. Gustavus Damm, second officer, asked to go ashore, but I re- fused. I have an idea that he wants to desert and start an expedition of his own. He evi- dently sees the possibilities of this sort of thing. I must stop now, as the butler has announced dinner. Nov. a1.—Still at dinner. Nov. 22.—Weighed anchor and stood out tothe northeast. Hada frightful head this morning. Must becareful and save myself forthe return, The head waiter says there is some complaint in the fo'castle. They had oyster patties for luncheon, with only one oyster apiece. It seems hard to please all. Nov. 23.—Heavy gale from the northeast, but I don't mind, asl have a swinging bed. Stayed in it all day and read Pond's ideas of how we ought to advertise. Very good, but can be improved upon. Tried to think of appropriate title for my- self on return. ‘Hero of the North” was good, but it doesn’t convey all, I think I shall take * Prince of the Pole.” The “ Power of the Press.” NE of the tenets of journalistic belief has been the so-called ‘* Power of the Press.” Multifarious articles have been written about it, a play has been baptized with the title, and it has aroused endless discussion, Its existence, however, has never been doubted, and with sadness, therefore, Lire chronicles its passing. In the recent municipal contest, when the forces of good were arrayed against the forces of evil, New York journalism was almost a unit in ad- vocating the election of an ‘‘un- trameled candidate,” yet the children of Satan were returned to power by the suffrages of a newspaper- absorbing public. In like manner, ‘ammany’s political guest, Carter Harrison, won the Mayoralty of Chicago in the teeth of the ‘‘ Power of the Press.” Where, then, is the power of the bullying editorial? It is apparent, at least, that the people will not be dictated to in the exercise of the elective franchise. So it will be well for the press to turn its guns upon other game. This has, in a way, been done, for the cry now is: ‘* Abolish football!” Read the papers and you will find a half-page devoted to a critical analy- sis of the leading ‘varsity elevens, while in other columns appears the list of casualties for the present foot- ball season, together with well- selected epitaphs on the sport by persons unfamiliar with it. Judging from the popularity of the game on vacant lots and the enthusiasm aroused by college matches, it is probable that Young America’s in- terest in the ‘‘ brutal sport” will be crystallized by the timely discussion, while the treasuries of the college football associations will be materi- ally benefited. Incidentally, how- ever, thanks to the alarming crusade of the ‘‘ moulders of public opinion,” the cases of nervous prostration among mothers will become more numerous. Receipt: To popularize any cause, any movement, anything, secure at once the damnation of the press. EDICAL men are to be envied : if they cure us we are loud in their pra’ if they do not, we pre- serve a dead silence, James Gordon Bennett. HIS gentleman is with the New York Herald and connected lives abroad for his health, His face denotes great philanthropy, and he has done much to ameliorate the condition of the very rich. Several eminent Americans have been urged to write their impressions of Mr. Bennett, but as there is always a possibility of getting a job on the Herald staff, they have thought it wise not to indulge in this pastime. Mr. Bennett visits these shores at rare intervals, but as a rule he prefers the quiet home life of Paris and Constantinople to the roar and tur- moil of the Herald office. It is said that he reads the //era/d every day with the aid of an interpreter, and that he has been known to faint when he was informed of an intelli- gent observation that had crept un- awares into the editorial page. Mr. Bennett is said to possess am- ple needs, and uses a yacht when he needs exercise.