Life — August 21, 1884 — page 5: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A-QUADRUPLEX NOVEL. IFE has reason to congratulate itself that on several occasions it has given countenance and encouragement to the great economic and social principle of codperation. Several months ago it proposed a scheme for a Codperative a Nursery, which, we have reason to believe, has since proved a boon to many harassed mothers, and which, to a certain extent, accounts for the remarkable falling off in the death rate of infants as noted in a recent learned article in the Medical Record. Even cholera infantum and teething seem to have been subdued by the codperative spanker and milk bottle with paregoric attachment. No small credit should also be given to the efficacy of the refrigerating delivery wagon, which has neutralized the heat of July. * * * N the more ideal sphere of literature L1FE led the way with several codperative novels, showing that America could equal the clever work of such English partnerships as Besant & Rice or Reade & Boucicault. Our good example has borne fruit, and, as the quadruplex telegraph was evolved from the duplex, so has the double team novel given place to the four-in-hand. * * * HE result of a literary conspiracy between Robert Grant, John Boyle O'Reilly, J.S. of Dale and J. T. Wheelwright is a very entertaining novel called: “The King’s Men: A Tale of To-morrow.” The audacity which puts the time of the story in the next century is equalled by the skill which gives reality to the improbable. At the present time when the masses in England are crying: “Down with the Peers,” this speculative fancy of England as a Republic does not seem an altogether impossible child of the imagination. The whole story turns upon the intrigue of certain royalists to restore the monarchy. One is forcibly reminded of that much greater novel (the peer of any work of fiction): “Henry Esmond;” and a comparison will naturally follow of the fascinating Beatrix with the beautiful and heartless Eleanor Carey. * * * T= earnest purpose of the book is marred by touches of burlesque here and there, which dispel the illusions. “Jawkins Jollities” are amusing and excellently satirize cer- tain tendencies of the present day, but they are out of keeping with the best part of the book. The chapters on the revolt at Aldershot and the escape from Dartmoor are fine speci- mens of descriptive writing. John Dacre is an admirable character, and altogether the joiner work is neatly executed, concealing well the individuality of each workman. Drocu. * * * AS amusing short serial, running through three or four numbers, entitled: “Colonel Judson of Alabama,” will be begun in the September Manhattan, ARCTIC ENTHUSIASTS! ANOTHER EXPEDITION TO THE NORTH POLE! Those sybarites who were unable to join previous excursions will find in this A RARE CHANCE! No brains or capital required. Endurance makes the man. The most commonplace and uninteresting volunteer returns A HERO!! Frozen limbs, no end of filth and a shattered constitution are guaranteed. INSANITY A CERTAINTY! In no other manner is NOTORIETY ACHIEVED in so short a time. More useless suffering crowded into A LONG PERIOD by this process than by any other. UNPARALLELED CUISINE! The scientific problems to be solved are these: 1. How longa good constitution can be kept alive on decayed food. 2. The number of times a sentimental public enthusiasm can be re-kindled in this particular direction. VOLUNTEERS WANTED! Apply at the Steamer Hearseafloat, foot of Gnawbones Pier. A FABLE. ECRETARY CHANDLER has offered promotion to the Greely survivors. Greely has declined.—Morning paper. Once upon a time in the twilight of the Dark Ages there was a small and select School where the young idea was taught to shoot. In the Class in Spelling there was much dissatisfaction, as those at the narrative end stood very little chance of occupy- ing the Room at the Top. Perceiving the discontent among the pupils, the Principal one day got up a pic-nic for the lower end of the Class, at which fruit, pie and other implements for Scientific research were had in great abundance—so great, in fact, that seventeen of the little company curled up and died. The six survivors reached home in a pitiable condition and the teacher, as a reward of virtue, said; ‘Well, boys, you have done well. You may all of you go up head of the spelling -class—not that you can Spell, but because as Pie-Eaters you take the cake !”” Now, the leading survivor—the most pie-ous—declined pro- mation. “For,” said he, ‘if I jump over some man who knows how to spell while I do n’t, what ’s to prevent some man who has not ruined his digestion on a Pie-record, as I have done, putting me on the rear end of the wagon. ’T would be a colder day than this for me if I should some day be submoted, as it were ! I really think, teacher, you must count on me as a Dead-Head in this Enterprise.” comicbooks.com