Addressing his piece to the "General," Quelqu'un discusses his distaste at the practice by theatrical managers of writing "cards"--apparently a supplementary description of a forthcoming dramatic production intended both for publicity and general information. Quelqu'un specifically cites a "card" written by Laura Keene. Quelqu'un also talks about the operatic season and gives a sarcastic critique of both the performances and the audiences.
Quelqu'un reprints the text of one of her "cards" (3). He also says that "if there is one person connected with the New York stage who stands higher in my estimation than another, whether as an actor or as a manager, it is Laura Keene, who by her enterprise, her liberality, her professional talent, and her rare attention to details, is entitled . . . to your highest commendation" (3).
An electronic version of this text was previously available in CONTENTdm and has been migrated to Lehigh University's Digital Collections. Reconstruction of direct links to individual articles is in progress. In the meantime, browse issues of the Saturday Press in the Vault at Pfaff's Digital Collection. Page images of The New York Saturday Press were scanned from microfilm owned by Emory University, which was made from original copies held by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Though much of her early life, including her real name and exact date of birth, remains in shadow, Laura Keene is thought to have come from a well-to-do background.
