Alleged cancan dance indulged in by young male and female swells at Jamestown, New York. 

A correspondent from Jamestown, N. Y., sends us an account of an alleged very loud performance indulged in by several young male and female members of swell society in that town in a summer hotel near Jamestown. The illustration sufficiently suggests the character of the affair without further mention in details. It is said the originator of the party is one of the most prominent politicians in Jamestown.

Reprinted from The National Police Gazette, January 5, 1889.

Sing Sing Prison Convicts Returning from Dinner - Inmate 927 Depositing his Spoon.

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, November 27, 1885.

“Made Beautiful Forever.” –The new process of enameling the face in order to hide th blemishes which nature and dissipation have made on the phiz of women of fashion; New York City. [more]

The recent death of Madame Rachel, the famous female beautifier or enameller in a London prison has called attention to this singular caprice of fashion. At the present time a walk on one of the leading thoroughfares of this city will demonstrate to what extent this foolish fashion is carried on. Women whose faces are enameled are easily detected by the shining appearance of their skin as well as the unnatural tint, which this process gives to their complexion. There is a close resemblance between a milliner’s wax-figure, used for displaying a fancy toilet, and the face of a woman who has submitted to this method of beautifying. Until quite recently enameling was confined to Paris, all who had it done having to go to that city for the purpose. It is very expensive, costing about $6oo, and generally lasts about six months. It is said that the art has been recently transferred to this city by a Parisian who has met with great success.

Reprinted from "Beautiful Forever." The National Police Gazette 20 Nov 1880.

“Made Beautiful Forever.” –The new process of enameling the face in order to hide th blemishes which nature and dissipation have made on the phiz of women of fashion; New York City. [more]

The recent death of Madame Rachel, the famous female beautifier or enameller in a London prison has called attention to this singular caprice of fashion. At the present time a walk on one of the leading thoroughfares of this city will demonstrate to what extent this foolish fashion is carried on. Women whose faces are enameled are easily detected by the shining appearance of their skin as well as the unnatural tint, which this process gives to their complexion. There is a close resemblance between a milliner’s wax-figure, used for displaying a fancy toilet, and the face of a woman who has submitted to this method of beautifying. Until quite recently enameling was confined to Paris, all who had it done having to go to that city for the purpose. It is very expensive, costing about $6oo, and generally lasts about six months. It is said that the art has been recently transferred to this city by a Parisian who has met with great success.

Reprinted from "Beautiful Forever." The National Police Gazette 20 Nov 1880.

Members of the New Orleans Demi-Monde Enjoying an Excursion to the Suburbs of the Southern Metropolis.

Some fifteen or twenty of the demi-monde of New Orleans recently took and excursion to the suburbs of the city. They charted a pair of four-horse coaches and supplied with wines and cigars, started off to enjoy a real good time. On arriving at a certain well-known hotel (?), which is situated about four miles from the city they alighted and ordered dinner, which was served in a sumptuous style. Having “wined and dined,” they returned to the city, singing gaily and cracking jokes by the way.

Reprinted from Weekly Varieties, February 22, 1887.

Summer Pleasures—A Picnic on Marblehead Neck. Massachusetts. [more]

The march of progress has not destroyed that freshness of pleasure which ever attends a bit of cold chicken or lobster salad with a glass of fiz, partaken of on the green grass, whether it be by the hillside or riverside or seaside. There is a piquant flavor in the food, a bouquet in the wine, a joyousness in the feast, which surpasses all the sensuous gratification of a superbly set table with its cut glass and glowing flowers and glittering cutlery and tidbits that a cordon bleu could serve in the form of a dainty dinner. With the greensward for a carpet, the blue sky for a roof, and the murmuring sea for music, the picnic which we illustrate is simply perfect. The yellow basket has been carefully packed, the champagne very judiciously iced, the young couples with the “gooseberry-picking” boy capitally matched. Everybody is hungry, for the ozone-laden breeze stealing across the heaving ocean is the best sauce ever served up with human food. The pastry has been made by the white hands of the girls and will be rapturously eaten by the gentlemen in waiting, the small boy doing yeoman’s work. Under the genial influence of the champagne the timid young man will become emboldened, and vows that lay “full fathoms five” in his bashful heart will come to the surface during that postprandial stroll on the tawny sands. What fun washing up the dishes and plates and knives and forks! What fun setting up an empty bottle to fling pebbles at! What fun re-packing! What laughing at the awkwardness of the gentlemen! It is all fun, innocent merriment, and that delightful abandon begotten of youth, health and the freedom of a meal taken al fresco.

Reprinted from "Picnic on Marblehead Neck." Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper 11 Aug 1883: 403.