Life, 1883-10-25 · page 4 of 16
Life — October 25, 1883 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Boom in Journalism" This cartoon satirizes the explosive growth of cheap newspapers in the early 20th century. Two figures huddle over a newspaper hawking "The New York Daily Jumbo" — advertised as "Eight Copies for One Cent, 16 Editions Morning, Evening, Read it!" The joke targets the absurdity of mass-produced, low-cost journalism: papers so cheap and numerous they're almost worthless. The exaggerated pitch suggests publishers prioritize volume and sensationalism ("Jumbo") over quality. The cartoon mocks both the competitive newspaper industry's race to the bottom and readers' hunger for content — even trivial content. The "boom" references journalism's rapid commercialization during this period, when circulation wars drove papers to ever-cheaper prices and more sensational headlines to capture readers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NI AY \ AR: WY QQ ye A RARE CHANCE FOR A MANIAC. NTERNATIONAL courtesy between England and America has of late been the rage. In the first place, England very politely paid $15,000,000 to us as a reparation for the slight breach of manners involved in the fitting-out of. the A/asama. In return, the United States paid England $5,000,000 for the privi- lege of catching $2,000,000 worth of fish in Canadian waters, Then we saluted the British flag at Yorktown, and England invited Mr. Lowell to unveil the bust of Fielding ; while, not to be outdone by the “ blarsted Island,” Mr. Villard asked the English aristocracy to a free blow over our continent. Mr. Field’s monu- ment to André, and the placing of the bust of Long- fellow in Westminster Abbey, are fresh tokens of the esteem which the two nations have for each other. Another opportunity of showing our admiration for British institutions is offered us. In the Boston Even- ing Transcript the following notice appears :— “Subscriptions are solicited for the purpose of placing a painted east window in Woodstock Church to the memory of the late Duke of Marlborough, and yh ae 0.4 DESCRIPTIVE DEFI- NITIONS. Lvcus—Hoodlum. Dam(n)as(s)cus—Dude. Crocus—Rooster. Bacchus—Dunce., Caucus—Crow. Discuss—Ego, Hocus—Farmer. Pocus—Stoker. Focus—Enemy, J. J. J “ By the way, Brown, did I ever show you this?” said Jinks, as he fumbled in the inner breast-pocket of his coat for something or other. “J don’t know,” replied Brown, turning a shade paler, “but if it’s your tin-type, taken at Bar Harbor, with a tennis racquet in your hand, please don’t! Nine fellows have shown me theirs already this morning, and I can’t stand seeing another !”” WHAT room would one ex- pect to find in a castle in the air? A “brown study,” to be will be thankfully received by Rev. Waldo Burnett, Southborough, Mass. The cost of the window will be 4250, and the subjects the principal events in our Lord's life. Up to the latest advices £95 had been subscribed.” Surely, this is an opportunity not to be neglected by our Anglomaniacs. Who would not cheerfully wear his last year’s cover-coat, have his Lobb shoes tapped, or be a little behind the march of science in his cane or shirt-collar, if he felt that by the incidental saving he was contributing to the placing of a painted east window in Woodstock Church to the memory of the late Duke of Marlborough, especially if the window appropriately emblazoned the principal events in our Lord’s life? To be sure, the late Duke was only famous for being descended from the great Churchill, who “sold his beardless honor for a rouleau of gold,” and for being one of the meanest men in England— who was an absentee to save expenses. But he was a British peer, and a real Duke, and if the reverend gentleman does not get the rest of the needed £250 in Boston, the field is white for the harvest in New York. “ comicbooks.com