Life, 1883-11-29 · page 6 of 16
Life — November 29, 1883 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "A Question of Identity" - Victorian Social Satire The cartoon depicts two pairs of Victorian-era figures (men in top hats with women) labeled "HA, HA!" and "H'M!" The accompanying text mocks class pretension: Mrs. Symkins claims not to know "the Hoggs," while her son notes the Hoggs have "five thousand dollars" but mysteriously unknown origins—implying nouveau riche (newly wealthy) embarrassment. The humor targets snobbish social climbing: the wealthy Hoggs are wealthy enough to associate with but too socially suspect to acknowledge. A secondary joke mentions kicking out a servant named "William" for impropriety. The satire reflects Victorian anxieties about distinguishing "old money" respectability from "new money" vulgarity—a common Life magazine theme ridiculing social pretense and hypocrisy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A QUESTION OF IDENTITY, Mrs. SyMKINS DE Harris (to lady caller): “Do we know the Hoggs? I don’t think we do. Do we, Maud ?” YounG SyMkins DE Harris (age 11 years): “Oh, Ma, what a story! Didn't Pa say he owed Mr. Hogg five thousand dollars, and he did n't know where in the world it was to come from?" (Zadleau.) “T was only footing une of your late Bills,” remarked a fond father to his daughter, after kicking her sweet William out of the front yard. HB, JS: Hare Restorer.—Game laws. Now that the government is rich enough to carry a letter for two. cents, we would humbly suggest that it stop making the postal cards of blotting-paper. OLD TIME’S DEATH. "Twas noon (old time); the busy clocks A brief while ceased their ticking ; I crept behind my sweetheart, Nell, My way with soft feet picking. I snatched a kiss; she blushed and screamed, And vowed me base to win it, : And that she'd run to tell her ma That very, very minute. “* Old Time is dead !"" I cried with joy, “And for this blessed quarter All laws are off! "Tis no time now! T would not wish it shorter."’ . * * * * . * The clocks struck twelve, and Nell's dear cheeks Were bright as Summer's posies; New time for us winged on its way, And strewed it deep with roses. J. T. WHeetwricut, comicbooks.com