re: A letter from a Civil War officer to his wife - July 14, 1861

quote:

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Acting troupes would tour 19th century mining camps putting on Shakespearian productions. They played to packed houses. The miners, who were well familiar with Shakespeare, could be harsh critics, jeering and throwing things if they thought the performance was below par.

TL;DR, the baws of that day were more culturally literate than even the elites of today.

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