alibi if represented by the camera as forming one of a group of strikers, or taking part in mob violence, or disturbing the peace.
It may show incontestably that many of the participants in strike riots have been mere boys, presumably encouraged by their elders to take part in them .11 The illustration is thus of service not only in reconstructing the past but also in reconstruct
ing the present. Nothing shows so conclusively as does a comparison of illustra tions through a series of years the changes that have come in the way in which holidays are celebrated . The " safe and sane" Fourth of July with its appeal to a new nationalism and inter nationalism is far removed from the flamboyant, bombastic celebrations illustrated fifty years ago. The early illustrations of
Christmas depict family scenes, later come the illustrations
showing the results of late Christmas shopping, while to -day Christmas sales have become the conspicuous feature of Decem ber advertising. " What is Easter?” or what is the popular con ception of themeaning of Easter, is perhaps better answered by
the illustration and by the advertisement than it is by the Church, and sectional differences may be seen in the much greater influ
ence of Easter on the illustrations and advertisements in the New York than in the Boston press.12 Nothing more clearly
indicates how widespread is the love of luxury to which particu expensive clothing for men and women , gifts, jewelry , flowers , confectionery, restaurants , music, amusements, and excursions to all expensive resorts arranged for the Easter season . War, here as elsewhere, is utilized as a motive for commemorating the day, — “ Easter services are to reflect loyalty,” “ we are mobilizing the serried ranks of Easter's army.” To the child the differences
between Christmas and Easter are specially illustrated in the gifts for them advertised at that time, - if one brings dolls and drums, the other brings chickens and rabbits .
The extent to which the illustrations of the press may be used
to reconstruct the past may again be tested through using the press printed in a foreign language. Much may be gleaned in 11 The New York Times, July 24, 1915 .
12 Suggested by J. C . Coburn .
APER
THE NEWSP
IAN
