University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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BLUE AND GOLD epaulets and swords ; and above all, a chief musician puppet has been introduced, that would be the making of any show. And then see how the Colonel puppet stands out from the rest. Perhaps you have won- dered why it is given so prominent a position, for it is certainly not a handsome piece. But the reason is simple enough : that figure is made of solid brass. It is the only one of the kind among the puppets, and in fact we doubt whether anything similar can be found in any other exhibi- tion now in existence. If we had but a few more like this one, we feel sure that our show would be talked about all over the world. To the English group, also, an addition has been made since the pup- pets last appeared before you. It now comprises His Majesty King Albert, Henry the Prince of Wales and Cornelius the Pedagogue. The Prince puppet has been imported direct from England; and this, of course, accounts for its being a little better than any of the others. The figures of this group, it must be admitted, do not work quite smoothly as yet; and their action has been justly criticised as somewhat cranky. We hope, though, to correct this defect in time. During the entertainment the King puppet will perform the feat of scattering Cookies to the crowd. They are harmless, but we would advise you not to swallow them whole. To make the group even more striking, a subordinate figure has been added as attendant on the King. But this last puppet is, in fact, made only of Putty, and has nothing to do but support the King ' s train. And now just look at this last figure undoubtedly the most amusing feature of the whole exhibition. It represents one of the old Albin fathers. Of course you all remember it, for you have all laughed at it ever since the puppets were first brought to Berkeley. It is the same piece it always was, but a slight change has been made in its mode of action. It now performs its tricks in a Chair. You may not see the reason for this at once, but after you have watched the puppet act in the new position, you will appreciate how much the change has added to the effect. And so some other alterations, more or less important, have oc- curred since the last appearance. But they are slight and I will not try your patience further in sp eaking of them. The management has arranged everything only with the desire to amuse you. If you go away well pleased we shall feel fully repaid for our pains. But now, children, keep your eyes wide open. The curtain is up. An able corps of assis- tants stand behind the scenes with their fingers on the wires. The bell rings and the show begins with a grand Faculty dance.

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BLUE AND GOLD always. On the ladies ' minds, in particular, the figure seems to make so strong an impression that we doubt whether they ever, under any condi- tions, forget it. The mathematical group, since the main figure has been replaced, has risen in popular favor. Yet I must call your attention to the extraordinary make-up of one of the figures of this group. So Satanic and lifelike is it, that children have had to be taken out, scream- ing with fright at the sight of it. It is popular with the Irishmen, though, and is so firmly fixed that it could not be removed without difficulty. And so in the background will be recognized many other familiar figures, such as the Setting puppet, the venerable puppet that works with cranks and the pretty little Agricultural puppet. But these, as you know, are only retained to fill up and do not appear conspicuously in the Show. Changes will happen in all things, though, as the man said that got away with the best umbrella; and a puppet show is no exception to the rule. For instance, you will all notice a new figure in the place of the Recorder puppet. The old one was among the memorable features oi the entertainment, but had become worn out with service and no longer worked smoothly on the wires. It has been removed to a less conspic- uous position in the History group, where it plays the part of Joan(s) of (the) Arc. Its smile, however, has been preserved and is still one of the great attractions. It is a dapper little puppet that now occupies the place, and you would wonder at its mode of action unless I told you the secret of it. The truth is, it is worked by an invisible wire not in the hands of the general management. This improvement has been made only recently, but has been found to work like a charm. Perhaps, if it continues to act successfully, we shall try the same plan with some of the other figures before the year is over. And here again you will miss a familiar figure from the Greek and Latin group; one that did not appear conspicuously but was still a great favorite. It had always worked so nicely that the management never dreamed of any trouble with it. But one day it was discovered that this puppet and the Greek Autocrat there, which stood side by side, were constantly wearing against each other; and as the Autocrat was of much greater weight, the other piece was so badly damaged that it had to be taken off the stage. The Autocrat puppet was only a little chafed by the accident, and seems to have received no great injury ; but as you can see for yourselves, it is not as firmly fixed on the wires as it was before. Come, come, you children over there in the corner, don ' t get restless. There is only a little more to be said now before the show begins. And here, too, is something especially meant for you. Just look at the Mili- tary group, with the streamers and gold epaulets, the swords, the drums and the trumpets. How is that for display? These puppets have been made one of the main attractions since the last appearance. A new centre-piece has been procured ; more figures have been adorned with

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00ARD OF RGNT3, ' It is difficult to say who do us the most mischief, enemies with the worst intention , or friends with the besc. Buhver. EX ' OFFICIO REGENTS, His EXCELLENCY GEORGE STONEMAN, of Sacramento, Governor, ex-officio President of the Board. His HONOR JOHN DAGGETT, of Calico, Lieutenant- Governor. HON. H. M. LA RUE, of Sacramento, Speaker of the Assembly. HON. W. T. WELCKER, of Sacramento, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. HON. P. A. FINNIGAN, of San Francisco, President of the State Agricultural Society. P. B. CORNWALL, of San Francisco, President of the Mechanics Institute. W.T.REID, of Berkeley, President of the University. Fl UC r OI ' ' r ,. Toill i( S