Life, 1884-05-15 · page 7 of 16
Life — May 15, 1884 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 273 **Top cartoon ("The Welding of the Sword"):** Shows a dwarf-like figure and Siegfried (labeled) at a forge, working on a sword. The text references German mythology—likely satirizing German militarism through the legend of Siegfried forging Nothung. The joke appears to mock German war preparation or national identity tied to martial mythology. **Bottom cartoon ("Die Götterdämmerung / Siegfried's Death"):** Depicts Siegfried's death scene, with a cross and text referencing Richard Wagner's opera. This invokes the mythological cycle's conclusion—the "Twilight of the Gods"—likely satirizing German defeat or the collapse of German power, using Wagner's tragic narrative as metaphor. **"Advice to the Natives":** Text criticizing English colonizers' condescending treatment of native peoples, advocating for civil treatment while paradoxically defending cultural superiority.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Now wateh me as] work and Sung.) Hl My cunning fi filtle AMIAVE, it ne Perhaps some clay your work ana notes Will be ag youd s AUINE. | ADVICE TO THE NATIVES. UTTING it roughly there are about forty thous- and young Englishmen “ doing” this country at present, and ninety per cent of them are surprised at finding us with no feathers in our hair. This, of course, is a disappointment and excuses to a certain extent their somewhat offensive bearing. Do not be ruffled by their condescension, for they cannot help it. They are so with all “ foreigners.” It occasionally happens how- ever, that it is absolutely necessary to snub them, and in s do not flatter yourself that a sarcastic remark will produce any effect. Anything like fizesse is wasted. An American can take a hint, but with a true Briton, and especially the Briton travelling in America, the plainest Anglo-Saxon must be used. Do not be afraid of hurting his feelings ; those at home. If you treat him civilly he will take you for a shop-keeper and snub you. This is the fault of his education. At heart he is an excellent fellow, but his heart is in England. he left