Life, 1884-01-24 · page 3 of 14
Life — January 24, 1884 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of "Modern Improvements" The cartoon depicts two gentlemen discussing decorative choices for a house. Mr. Silvercamp seeks sketches for a "scriptural frieze," and asks an artist about obtaining "The Twelve Apostles" for his home. The humor lies in a misunderstanding: the artist assumes Silvercamp is asking about acquiring a painting or artwork titled "The Twelve Apostles," but Silvercamp clarifies he means Jim Jones already has twelve apostles in *his* house—and he doesn't want to be outdone by Jones having more decorative elements than he does. This appears to satirize wealthy Victorian-era competitive social pretension: the joke is that acquiring fashionable religious artwork became a status symbol among the well-to-do, with people trying to outdo their neighbors in conspicuous domestic display.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MODERN IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. Silvercamp (who is looking over some sketches for a scriptural frieze for his new house): Wo ARE THESE? Artist; THE TWELVE APOSTLES. Mr. Silvercamp: Hasn't Jim Jones GOT THE TWELVE APOSTLES IN HIS HOUSE? Artist: YES, sIR. Mr. Silvercamp: Now, LOOK-A HERE, MISTER PAINTER,—JIM AIN’T GOIN’ TO GET AHEAD 0’ ME ON ANYTHING—YOU PUT FOURTEEN IN MINE! TO BETTY. But who is wise? Ah, who can know (VILLANELLE.) VV AApe ~~ That cruelty puts on disguise WHEN Betty's dimples come and go When Betty's dimples come and go? And laughter loiters in her eyes, Who cares which way the wind may blow? Who cares which way the wind may blow ? M. E. W. For Cupid’s self is fain to strew His way with sweet enamored sighs Iti iage records shoul When Betty's dimples come and go. T is proper that marriag uld be kept by “double” entry. And watching beauty’s piquant show Youth, puffed with bold presuming, cries Who cares which way the wind may blow ? A LARGE dog attacked a blind man on Broadway last Saturday and nearly threw him over by springing Enchanted age becomes a beau upon him. He probably wanted to “pull down the And pays his court with new emprise blind.” When Betty’s dimples come and go. Let coquetry a smile bestow— Ir is to be presumed that Marwood’s successor is Vater heguiled, in haste replies, beginning to get the “hang of the thing” by this “ Who cares W-:0h way the wind may blow ?” time. comicbooks.com