Life — February 24, 1910 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Merely Local" and "Boston's New Statue" This page contains two satirical pieces about propriety and social conventions. **"Merely Local"** mocks provincial attitudes about morality. The poem argues that impropriety is "local"—what's scandalous in one place (like a woman dancing naked) might be acceptable elsewhere. The satire suggests people shouldn't judge others by narrow hometown standards, but rather recognize that different cultures have different norms. The piece cynically advises conforming to wherever you are rather than adhering to absolute moral principles. **"Boston's New Statue"** discusses Saint-Gaudens' statue of Philips Brooks. The article humorously notes Boston's embarrassment about the work—uncertain whether it's good. It catalogs three sources of embarrassment: the sculptor's reputation, the subject's importance, and theological concerns about depicting Christ. The piece gently mocks Boston's provincial anxiety over artistic judgment.