The San Francisco call., 1898-05-15
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 WITH ENTIRE FRANkNESS.

By HENRY JAMES.

warrant the printing of her picture ana l pedigree. I cannot see wherein it Is or l the slightest moment to anybody but herself whether she goes on the stage, gets job as typewriter, learns how to trim hats or becomes what Is known In commercial circles as a saleslady. IT there is one calling a girl can choose in which such talent as she may pos sesS will almost to certainty be vast ed, 1t Is the calling of the actress. The life is a shallow mockery, an existence of tinsel and pretense, carried on in an atmosphere of scandal. It involves no opportunity for a home, but scant opportunity for fame, and the chance to retain such reputation as one may take into it is painfully slight. 1 feel sorry for any girl who adopts the stage. Unless she is a genius there is every probability that she will never be heard of again except as the figure in some unsavory episode. If she is @ genius she may rise to the position of Bern hardt, in whom much can be forgiven. But 1t must be remembered that the children of Bernhardt do not have the privilege of speaking of their father, and, indeed, may be unable to speak with any certainty.
 
 There is no particular reason why this city should provide an orphanage for homeless monkeys, and certainly none why a large tract of land should be purchased for a site. Some people may have noticed that out toward the Cliff House there is a beautiful and spacious park This is free to all. It of aT1c but the improvement will inevitably go on for many years. If the monkey must be provided for, Golden Gate Park Is the place for him. There secluded valley could be set apart for him, and the taxpayers with tolerable grace sub- init to contributing toward his board and lodging, but to be asked to ''pungle up" for the support of lot of fellows with some realty of which they have been unable to dispose in a legitimate way touches them in a different spot. I object to President Jordan as an au- thority, because he does not live here. I object to Superintendent McLaren's s dictum, because McLaren does not want "zoo" in the park he so ably engineers to a state of verdure and bloom. He dislikes the presence of the animals now there, and they are not given proper attention. If of hardy family they thrive tolerably, and if not hardy they die. Even the grizzly which Hearst unloaded on the park after he found him unavailable as a member Of the staff had to be located in the park by trick. It is far better that san Francisco should have no zoo" than that it be established through fraud in a section of the city reached with diti- culty from every other section tt would be far wiser to use the money in prosecuting the Supervisors who are trying to loot the treasury Of what Widber missed To have a batch of them in a cage would be something like.
 Reports that Fitzsimmons is to. fight a bull in a ring at Havana doubtless represent a silly attempt 70 rev1vffy the unpleasant remains of the notoriety won by blow in the solar plexus of another of the pestiferous tribe. wish 1t were possible to believe the report, and that the bull might toss Fitzsim- mons up with one horn, catch him on the other and finish an interesting per forrnance by planting a triumphant hoof so as to double the diaphragm or the pugilist into a mortal kink. l have nothing against Fitsimmons person. ally. never saw him, never want to, put he is one of a class that cuElbers the earth.
 For just fifteen minutes I would like to be President of the United states. This period would be sufficient for the formulation of a message to the war lorder of all the earth. l think It would be possible to convey to him in language at once diplomatic and forceful information that his royal nose. as often before, is being poked where it has no business. He would be told that we are competent to take care of our own affairs, that he has no more voice as to the disposition of the pbilippines than in settling an elec- tion contest between two Congress- men from the Podunk district. If he does not like our style he must en- dure it as patiently as he may, for we are too busy to change 1t to please him, and don't particularly care to suit him, anyhow. Having done this, I would cheerfully resign and let Mc- KinIey go right on with the war, as he seems to nave CIlt udil5 u IL.
 
 The fact appears that Widber in tends to make @ technical fight. In other words, he confesses to being a thief. but defies the people to do any thing about it. I think that in the event of his securing his freedom on any such plea there could arise no question as to the justice and advisa- bility of organizing vigilance com mittee and hanging him.
 An actress who is attracting great crowds in New York does so by the simple process of undressing on the stage. Of course no respectable nor 1 decent woman would do this. l am not attempting to lay down any moral law. but must confess to a feeling of irritation that one woman is sent by the police to certain quarter of the town where the public may not be shocked at the sight of her, while her sister In degradation disports in the glare of the footlights, and the public tumbles over itself in the effort to be dxs 1-AI