Life, 1883-12-27 · page 6 of 17
Life — December 27, 1883 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Severe" Cartoon Analysis This cartoon depicts a domestic scene at a boarding house, showing two figures in conversation. The caption reads: "Johnnie (who has been taken to call at a typical unaired boarding house): 'O MA! WHERE'S E' ELEPHANT?' / Mamma: 'Hush, dear, there isn't any elephant.' / Johnnie: 'O yes, there is—I smell him!'" The satire targets the poor sanitation and musty conditions of cheap boarding houses. The child's innocent complaint about an "elephant" is actually a humorous way of commenting on the overwhelming stench—implying the smell is so strong it could only come from such a large animal. This was a common Victorian-era criticism of low-cost lodgings, which were notorious for inadequate ventilation and cleanliness.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SEVERE. Johnnie who has been taken to call at a typical unaired boarding house): “O, MA! WHERE'S E’ EL’PHANT?" Mamma: “ Hush, DEAR, THERE ISN'T ANY ELE- PHANT.” Johnnie: ““O YES, THERE 1S—I 'MELL HIM!" FIRST AID TO THE INJURED. Lecture VI.—Minor Injuries. I —BROKEN ARM.—Apply a bandage between * the humerus and funny-bone. This is no laugh- ing matter. 2.—Blind Staggers.—If a blind man staggers, take him home and put him to bed. He will sleep it off. 3-—Black-eye.—Call “Time,” and offer to shake hands. This is precautionary rather than curative. 4.—Malaria—Give the patient complete rest, change of scene, and, if possible, foreign travel, until the arrival of competent medical aid. 5.—Poisons.—Place the sufferer in an easy position —the position of Register is about as easy a one as you can find—then send for a lawyer for the pur- pose of drawing up his will. 6.—Mumps.—Inform the sick man that he is too cheeky. This puts him in that cheerful frame of mind that is always indispensable to recovery. 7.—Bite of a Mad Dog.—Shoot him (the dog). The smaller the dog and the bigger the gun, the more radi- cal the cure. ‘LIFE: THE CLASSIC LIBEL SUIT. The Plaintif's Case Closed.—Susan B. Anthony on the Stand.— Was that Sixth Toe a Toe? From the NV. Y. Herald of 2021. [Price Two for Nothing !] AFTER 138 years of most interesting testimony, the case of M, Feuardent, the plaintiff in the historical libel suit, was broughtjtoza close yesterday. The plaintiff's counsel on entering the court-room, stated that all his remaining witnesses had un- fortunately perished, and he would therefore submit his case as it then stood.g,This statement caused quite a stir in the court- room, as it had been expected that the plaintiff would bring for- ward some very startling testimony in regard to the sixth toe on Venus. A prominent sculptor stated last night that if called upon he could testify that the toe was a thumb. This would have changed the entire face of the case and would have given the plaintiff a stronger stand than is conceded him at present. Young M. di Cesnola, who died since our last notice of the case, left the suit to his nephew, Patrick Cesnola O’ Hoolihan, but owing to the improper wording of the will it was contested by another nephew, S. Cesnola Clemenceau. The trial of course had to be adjourned until the controversy over the will was set- tled. Mr. O'’Hoolihan contended that his uncle intended to leave it to M. Clemengeau, while the latter said that his uncle had told him that the suit was intended as a ‘dot for his nephew,” O'Hoolihan, The Courts decided that O’Hoolihan would make the best fighter, and that for the benefit of the estate he should take the suit. The first witness for the defence was Miss Susan B. Anthony, lately defeated for the Presidency on the Woman's Rights Ticket, with Rutherford B. Hayes running as Vice-President. Miss Anthony was asked her age and stated that according to the latest restoration she was ‘* sweet sixteen.” As to her unrestored age, the court ruled the testimony out as immaterial. Witness could not remember exact appearance of statues when originally produced inGolgoi. Was too young at the time to notice. Was of the opinion that the little Hercules was modelled after a wartior known as Kelly, or some such Italian name. Was certain that the elbow was crooked. Considered that additional proof that statue was modelled after the said warrior, Witness denied that she was the original of the bearded Venus, but was not certain but that she might have been the'original of Hope. Had heard of Anna Dickinson. Impossible that the latter could have been original of bearded Venus or any other Venus. in cross-examination the witness admitted, that her experi- ence taught her that Time was not as great a restorer as he is cracked up to be. The hour for adjournment having arrived the jury was excused until to morrow at 17 minutes past 23 o'clock. A prominent witness for the prosecution thinks the plaintiff has a miraculously good case, The gentleman states that when he was called as a witness he was deaf and could only hear through the medium of a packing-box or a tin pan with a pipe attached. No sooner was he called as a witness than, much to his surprise, he was given a hearing. The defense expect to close in the early part of the millenium, Duranco. A SCHOOLGIRL on bangs—"* With all they ‘re false I love them still.” Wnuy is Signal Service Hazen like a poor driver? Because he is a marked failure in handling the rains. STATE in which the whipping post will never be abandoned— the state of matrimony. Tue City Haul.—The contents of faided gambling houses. A CHANGE for the bettor.—An injury to the favorite horse. comicbooks.com