Life — April 19, 1883 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Pearl and the Swine" This political cartoon depicts a figure in formal dress (appears to be a wealthy or powerful man) rejecting or turning away from a pearl being offered. The title "THE PEARL AND THE SWINE" references the biblical proverb about casting pearls before swine—suggesting someone of value is being wasted on an unworthy recipient. The accompanying text box (partially legible) contains critical commentary, though the specific OCR'd text is unclear. Based on the visual composition and title, this appears to be satirizing a political or social figure who is dismissing something valuable or important—possibly a proposal, reform, or criticism. The "swine" characterization suggests the cartoon mocks the target as crude or unrefined despite their position of power.