Life, 1899-01-19 · page 13 of 20
Life — January 19, 1899 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: **Left side ("Just Reversing Things"):** A theatrical review critiquing a production of "Madame Sans-Gêne," likely staged by impresario Augustin Daly. The reviewer praises supporting performances (Grosham as Fouché, Cargill as Queen of Naples) but criticizes the lead actress for failing to meet standards set by predecessors. The critique questions why Daly would revive this play unless confident in superior execution. **Right side ("The Usual Course"):** A humorous poem with accompanying comic illustrations depicting the typical progression of a romantic relationship—from initial attraction to eventual marriage. The verses express a bachelor's perspective: he admires an expensively-dressed woman but is relieved she "doesn't belong to me," satirizing the financial burdens of courtship and marriage that were social anxieties of the era. The page juxtaposes serious theatrical criticism with light romantic comedy, typical of Life's satirical approach to contemporary culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
> JUST REVERSING THINGS. to something besides incapacity, and makes our query a reasonable one. Only once—in the scene with the dancing- master and trades-peoplo—did sho real- ize what had been expected of her. In the other scones sho failed to oqual tho standard created by even the least emi- nent of her predecessors. In no par- ticular was the production a remarkablo one, although its mediocrity was bright- ened by Mr. Grosham's excollent Fouché and Miss Cargill's Queen of Naples. Mr. Daly deserves well at the hands ~ of all thoso who caro for tho best inter- ests of the stage, but why at this late date ho should produce “ Madamo Sans ., Géno,” unless ho was sure that it was to be better mounted and better acted than it had been before, is diMcult to understand. Metcalfe. 53 Joy. CERTAIN effect in my lady’s gown Is what I love to seo. But I know that's stylo That costs a pile, And I’m glad, meanwhile, Sho doesn’t belong to me. THE USUAL COURSE. comicbooks.com