Life, 1910-02-24 · page 11 of 36
Life — February 24, 1910 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
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.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
wi PROPR ADMIS 10 fy Merely Local 11S matter of imprudence is so manifestly local That to brand a thing improper simply labels one a yokel. They veil the face in Syria but leave to meet the eye A portion of anatomy that you and I keep shy. In the wilds of central Africa the stylish mode of dressing Would, in civilized Manhattan, result in a refreshing Forty days upon the island where the Sound’s salt breezes blow (Unless the case be chorus girl with millionaire in tow). Now a lady who'd go barefoot to make a single call Would not, in good society, be kindly met at all. But let her dance upon the stage with gleaming, naked feet And cach of the Four Hundred would wish to get a seat. The things you see when you're abroad without an eyelash quiver To even hear of in New York gives you an icy shiver! But what the Provincetowner sees on visiting our borough, If he reveals when he get home—his punishment is thorough! So you'd better suit your actions to the place that you are in. For they call in one place virtue what another rates as sin. Just salve your inner conscience and then let the outer man Conform in all particulars to moral's local plan. F. C.S. Boston's New Statue OSTON has been taking much thought about its new statue of Phillips Brooks, unveiled on January 22. It is embarrassed—not quite sure yet what it thinks, and not quite sure it ought to say what it thinks even when it knows. There are three bases of embarrassment: The work is by Saint-Gaudens, whom no one wants to disparage; it represents Brooks, and, since it is there, no one wants to admit that it misrepresents him; it introduces the figure of Christ, which is So unusual an adjunct to portrait sculpture that Boston is slow to get the bearings of its mind about it. Excusing Saint-Gaudens, the critics say that he did not finish the piece, and that if he had lived he would have worked it out better, difficult as that would have been. Of the figure of Brooks, some say it is fine, and some find awful flaws in it. There is a canopy by Stanford White, and some say it is incongruous with the statue. A common opinion is that the monument is better than could have been A GHOST OF A SHOW expected considering that the sculptor did not live to see it through. So, at the first sight, Boston is disappointed. That is sad, and is here set down with sympathy and regret. But, after all, it is better and worthier of Boston to be disappointed with even a fine work than to be unintelligently indulgent to a defective one. And maybe Boston will lik acquaintance. it better on longer and fuller comicbooks.com