Life — July 27, 1899 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

ts 1” roof, and Lire cannot recommend the place to such of its readers as wish to roof-garden with a mind free from dread, ‘Tho Madison Square Root Garden, which is commodious, comfortable and flroproof, has herctofore commanded the most select patronage in New York. This year it {8 giveh over to Bowery methods, and its vaudoville is of tho deserip- tion that flourishes best at Coney Island, Tho parallel extends to its high-collared beer at five centsa glass. . . . ROM the above it will bo scon that, although there is apparently a considerable number of these places competing with each ~" other in secking the patronago of roof-gar- deners, theroaro in reality only two or three where the pursuit may be carried on in comfort and safoty. Atall of thom—with the exception of the American—the prices are too high, when ono considers the HISTORIC FLIRTATIONS. BONAPARTE AND JOSEPHINE, “ALL ASHORE THAT'S GOING ASHORE!” quality of tho entertainment offered. There is no excuse for selling bad drinks at high prices, excopt that the public is casily fooled, The roof- gardens may perhaps be excused for tho poverty of their performances when one remembors how little real vaudeville talent there is and how many places are competing for It. BMetcalfe,