Life, 1884-08-14 · page 6 of 16
Life — August 14, 1884 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of "The Right of the Majority" This cartoon satirizes a domestic dispute about breakfast plans, using it as political commentary. The mistress proposes cotelettes (cutlets) for tomorrow's breakfast; the servant Bridget objects, saying "the girls don't like cotelettes." The mistress insists on serving them anyway, declaring "it is hardly worth while to get them for one"—meaning she'll cook them regardless of household preference. The satire likely comments on **authoritarian governance and disregard for public opinion**. The title "The Right of the Majority" is ironic: though a majority (the servants/household) opposes the decision, the authority figure imposes her will anyway. This reflects late-19th-century debates about democratic representation versus elite rule. The domestic setting makes the political critique indirect but pointed.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE RIGHT OF THE MAJORITY. Mistress: BRIDGET, WE WILL HAVE COTEL TO-MORROW MORNING. Bridget: THE GIRLS DO Mistress: BUT 1 LIKE COTELETTES. ITES Bridget: \Y 1S HARDLY WORTH WHILE TO GET THEM FOR ONE. LIKE COTELETTES, MARM. DYNAMITE DISTANCED. I" is whispered in Dynamite circles that a surer mode of securing the “blowing up” of a large number of objectionable men in power at London | than even that of the deadly dynamite has been suggested and that it is now under the serious consideration of O'Donovan Rossa. It is proposed that a score or so of the most convivially inclined of the hated government officials be lured to a banquet in the alleged interests of some Home Institution, that the finest champagne and other wines be pro- vided galore, that the visitors shall be rendered oblivious of their surround- ings, and carefully conducted to their doors when they are to be deposited and left by their hosts at 4 A. M. There is demoniac cunning in this. They have successfully laid a plot for the blowing up of some of these un- happy victims—by their wives. PPY y A intelligence — “ Oscar ged on a novel.” One probably. ALARMING Wilde is eng: of “ Ouida’ AN attractive hat for fly-time—The sugar-loaf. Goop game for evening—Cold roast FOR BREAKFAST partridge for supper. POPULAR toast (du Martin) among café frequenters—To our absinthe friends. CHAPTER IV. GRAND FINALE, N St. Petersburgh I met the Czar, Alexander Petrovitch | Blowuporowsky, Etceteravitch, who seemed delighted to meet me, and readily granted me the desired permission to interview one of his political prisoners. He thought I was insane, and was anxious to get me out of Russia. “1 don’t know as I had ought to!" he said, as 1 was about to depart. “Ought to what ?” I asked. “Autocrat. Ta-ta, Blowsky. Skipoutofitsky !” And then I knew that my audience was at an end. Four days later, armed with a passport, a guide, a mule and some receipted bills, which inspired the greatest possible respect whenever shown, I crossed the Ural Mountains, which are not too high, just high enough, and shortly after reached Tobolsk. I learned that Sceneri had been sent to Irkutsk, possibly for election purposes. As he had gone by mail, I had no difficulty in getting to Irkutsk before him, col- lecting en route enough matter to make a tolerably interest- ing chapter in my novel. But as I went purely on business, I of course haven't used as much as I could if I wished. Three days after my arrival Sceneri came, and I_ managed to interview him. I found him lying, true to his nature, in a corner, surrounded by cholera germs and political prisoners, who would undoubtedly have insulted me had the officer who accompanied me gone knout. I took the wretched prisoner to my room and set before him a square meal promising to pay for it myself. I shall never forget the look of gratitude which that free lunch earned forme. To aman who has been fed on mail-bags and re- flection for two months a filet from a sole-leather trunk or a fifteen year old spring Rooster is apt to be palatable. He was sparing in his drink, whereat I rejoiced for there was not much wine left and I hate to see aman overcome by liquor especially when he leaves no chance for me. comicbooks.com