Life, 1884-03-13 · page 5 of 16
Life — March 13, 1884 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This satirical piece mocks the social pretensions of Boston society. The cartoon depicts a crowded parlor gathering where the speaker critiques the fashion of sweetening after-dinner coffee with rock candy, proposing instead a revival of the Cossack custom of sharing a single string of candy between two people by mouth. The humor targets Boston's narrow social conventions and their anxiety about propriety. The accompanying text complains about Boston's reluctance to introduce foreign guests into society, suggesting that Bostonians fear their refined reputation will be damaged. The writer sarcastically notes this excessive caution seems absurd—comparing it unfavorably to monuments like Bunker Hill. The satire implies Boston society is overly rigid, provincial, and self-consciously concerned with appearances.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WHY DO THINGS BY HALVES? THE PRESENT FASHION OF SWEETENING AFTER-DINNER COFFEE WITH ROCK CANDY IS ALL VERY WELL, BUT WHY NOT HAVE AN HONEST REVIVAL: AND GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CossacK cusTOM? HAVE A LUMP OF THE MATERIAL ATTACHED TO A STRING AND LET EACH GUEST PUT THE END OF IT IN ONE SIDE OF HIS MOUTH AND DRINK FROM THE OTHER. for taking me by both hands and kissing me, and I was therefore obliged to receive her quite coldly, at which she seemed so hurt that I had to explain that in Boston we never show any feeling or enthusiasm under any circumstances whatever, at which Jack seemed immensely amused and said he would immediately have his trousers and overcoat trimmed with crape and try his best to be properly solemn. The more I see of my niece and nephew the more I fear they will not “take” in Boston society. Their means are quite narrow, and they have brought us letters with them, and seem to be under the delusion that I will introduce them! Just as though I had never learned the folly of doing people favors ! Jack has come over here with the ostensible purpose of going into business, and has just invested his little all in a mine or some such insane thing, the result of which will be of course that we shall have to support them entirely. Helen’s object in coming over is only too apparent, and I cannot but blush at such a bare- faced scheme. In addition she dresses so like a respect- able French actress (if there ever was such a thing) that I am really shocked,—no bright colors, to be sure, but then, to be four years in advance of the fashions is simply outrageous, and makes everbody else look so dowdy. Just fancy her with a large bustle and all the rest of us just as straight and smooth behind as Bunker Hill Monument ! comicbooks.com