1096–1101. THE PROPHETESS OF THEBES. Length, 458 feet. Price, $54.96.
One of the kings of ancient Thebes enters the abode of an astrologer and demands that he be told his future. The former utterly refuses to forecast the coming events of his sovereign, even under the pain of death; but he brings forth a priestess who possesses the powers of divination. This priestess is introduced in a wonderful way: a throne is brought forward, and then a box from which the pieces of a statue are removed and piled up in regular order; the statue suddenly becomes animated.
The king implores the latter to foretell his life. She commands him to look through a telescope toward the side of the room. A vision appears, disclosing him seated upon a chair of state and surrounded by his court, when suddenly he falls to the floor dead from assassination.
The king is furious. He seeks to kill the astrologer, but his sword is of no avail against this master magician. A bag of gold is finally brought, and when this is delivered the curse is lifted.
1102–1103. In the Barber Shop. Length, 180 feet. Price, $21.60.
The view shows the interior of a French barber shop in which much activity is going on. A darkey, with grand airs, enters and takes a chair on one side, and immediately there follows an old lady who takes a seat on the other in order to have her gray hair dyed black. While the barber is smoothing out the negro's locks with a huge roller of a hairbrush, his attention is distracted by the entrance of a lot of people and he lets the brush fall down upon the face of his customer, revolving all the time. Meanwhile, somebody nudges the elbow of the attendant with the dye, and the liquid goes trickling down the old lady's face.
The darkey rises from his chair, and lo! the black has been rubbed off his face by the brush. As for the aged dame, her face has been dyed the color she wanted her hair. Imagine the rejoicing on the one hand, and the anger on the other!
1104–1108. A MISTAKEN IDENTITY. Length, 355 feet. Price, $42.60.
Two couples, unfortunately, make appointments for a rendez-vous before a country inn at the same time. Comically enough, one couple are rather eccentric in make-up, and well along in years; the other are young and attractive. The latter, having made their meeting-place through correspondence, and upon only the slightest acquaintance, furnish an opportunity for confusion. The old lady arrives first, the young man next; and when they have started away for a stroll, the young lady enters, shortly to be followed by the old man.
When the mistake is discovered, there is some quarreling which grows hotter and hotter. At last, after hats have been crushed and clothes torn, the young people are united and take flight.
1109–1113. A Lover's Hazing. Length, 468 feet. Price, $56.16.
An Innkeeper introduces his young and pretty daughter to a wealthy old man who is in quest of a wife, but she being already in love spurns his protestations. After he leaves, the poor young suitor stealthily comes in and sits by her side. The father discovers them and ejects the fellow. Presently the latter returns only to be discovered again. This time the angry innkeeper beats the persistent suitor furiously; and while he lies on the ground, smarting from his bruises, a band of men and women enter and toss him up in a blanket, and afterwards duck him in a well. The
