Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/461

 THE SALOON IN CHICAGO 447

drawing together crowds of those pugilistically inclined. The ball-grounds, during the season, draw immense crowds, averaging about 15,000 on Sunday one Sunday last spring having an attendance of 30,000.

Between the theaters of this class and the dime museum

stands out alone, boldly appealing at the same time to

men's lower and better natures. At first a stereopticon of good quality throws upon the canvas pictures illustrating songs sung by a gentleman of comparatively good baritone voice and usually in dress suit. Thoughts of home, of mother's love, of worn m's purity, of personal honor, are received with hearty applause and cheers. Next follows a cinematograph reproduction of a prize- fight, and then, in striking contrast with the first, a "leg show" of the most shameless character. Be it said that, while it is undoubtedly this that draws the vast crowds of men, they never applaud, and only by watching their faces can one tell the effect upon them. Strange is the mingling of sentiments that must be present in their minds. The audience, entirely of men, is mixed in its character. The boot-black and the street boy is there, the clerk and the office-man, and in the most promi- nent places may be seen the cheap and flashy aristocracy of the city.

Still, under the head of theaters must be mentioned the dime museums, where the painted bawdy girls, performing the hideous muscle dance that made notorious the Midway Plaisance, com- pose the greater part of a program that is disgusting and revolt- ing in the extreme ; the stereopticon and cinematograph are the redeeming, features. Little or no applause is given. The audi- ence, composed of the lowest and most vulgar, or of shamed- faced curiosity-seekers, is quiet and sullen. Nothing but the morbid in man could induce him to go there.

Another form of public amusement is that furnished by the

parks, private enterprises. At the battle of San Juan is

reproduced, and a large dancing pavilion is well patronized. Races, driving exhibitions, and various sports entertain the crowd. An Alpine railroad catches the nickles. Beer and soft drinks are sold in large quantities. It is possibly one of the wickedest