Life, 1883-06-28 · page 14 of 17
Life — June 28, 1883 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top cartoon depicts a character using a telescope, with dialogue referencing "Mr. Tilden's eagle gaze" and "My chance in '84." This appears to reference Samuel J. Tilden, the Democratic presidential candidate in 1876, whose disputed election loss to Rutherford B. Hayes was still politically relevant. The joke suggests someone's political prospects for 1884. Below are brief satirical notices (possibly faux advertisements) and theater reviews for "The Pajama, or the Terrible Guardeen." The humor lies in contrasting what critics actually wrote (uniformly negative reviews) with how those same quotes could be selectively edited and presented on theatrical posters as positive endorsements—a practice mocking the dishonesty of theatrical advertising. The bottom section shows four dramatic etchings illustrating dime novel scenarios ("Fruits of the Dime Novel"), satirizing the sensational adventure fiction popular at the time.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
312 Again I strained my eyes. The glass was very strong, but evidently not the equal of Mr. Tilden’s eagle gaze. “Well?” said he, smiling grimly as before. “What és it?" said I, trying again. “My chance in 84,” said he, quietly. WATTERSON, Cc Sup't Usitep States Fish Hatcnery, Washington, D.C.—Many thanks for the 1,500,000 young shad you sent us. A more tender lot we have never eaten. Send us some more, please. Yours, truly, Hupsow River Percit. Ir Wisnes were horses we should all be ruined in boarding stable bills. Farr play is a a jewel, but bluff takes the pile. HonesTy is not issued by insurance companies. “Go AWAY YOURSELF ; It’s LOADED!” Tue Banpit’s Cave. > LIFE THE PAJAMA, OR THE TERRIBLE GUARDEEN. A COMEDY, Comments of the Press. Jt was anything but a great success....... Evening Telephone. We have never seen a play so utterly devoid of all that is elevating in conception, pure in tone and artistic in treatment. Daily Moon. We should be glad to say that the interest of the audience was maintained to the end, but it was n't. ..The Comet, THERE was but one redeeming feature.—The Scenery was entrancingly beautiful...........++ Evening Postman, It is surely not a play that must be seen more than once in order to appreciate it in all its glaring defects.......Daily Flash. IN incongruity, improbability, lack of unity and general imbe- cility it has no equal on the American stage. The Earth, COMMENTS OF THE PRESS, [as THEY APPEAR ON THE POSTERS]. a great success............5. Evening Telephone. elevating in conception, pure in tone and artistic in treatment Daily Moon. the interest of the audience was maintained to the end. je Comet. the scenery was entrancingly beautiful Evening Postman, ++aplay that must be seen more than once in order to ate it... . Daily Flash. it has no equal on the American stage. .... The Earth. W. S. PIRATES—MAKING HIM WALK THE PLANK. HUNTING THE LION IN AFRICA. r ra comicbooks.com