Life, 1884-09-25 · page 12 of 16
Life — September 25, 1884 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "A Merry Meal" - Life Magazine Satire This satirical piece mocks the tensions among European monarchs during a period of political instability (the text references assassination attempts). The cartoon depicts two men in formal dress—likely representing Francis Joseph of Austria and Wilhelm II of Germany—nervously preparing for a formal dinner hosted by the Russian Czar and Czarina. The humor centers on mutual distrust and paranoia: Wilhelm worries about his appearance, they're anxious about being late, and most pointedly, the narrative describes an "Imperial Soup-Taster" who must sample food first to ensure it isn't poisoned. The joke references real political assassinations and anarchist threats of the era. The secondary cartoon and verse about "Miss Jemima de Swizzle Van Dank" appears to be unrelated social satire about a banker's daughter whose family lost their fortune. The overall tone mocks European royal anxiety and the precarious state of continental politics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
* LIFE: oe hat-rackZand depositing their sceptres in the corner of the > { PA i NTE hall, took a glance in the mirror preparatory to entering the es drawing-room. “ Wilhelm,” said Francis nervously, “is my cravat climbing up the back of my collar?” “No; it’s all right,” replied the German Emperor. “My hair all smooth ?_ Wonder who we 're to take in?” “ Give it up! Come along, we're late.” After a famished interval of fifteen minutes, during which the hot weather was the chief topic of conversation, dinner was announced. The Czarina rose. “ Your Imperial Highness,” she said graciously, “ will you dine a mite?" After the Czar had been enticed out from under the sofa, the Austrian Monarch had been coaxed from behind a book- case and Wilhelm had been revived, the Czarina apologized for her /apsus /ingue, and the party entered the dining-room. “Came within an ace of fainting, did n't 1?" remarked the German Emperor, and a royal flush o’erspread his pallid countenance. “Yes,” replied the Czarina. ‘“ For a moment it was three kings and an ace—almost a full hand for me. How are the people of Germany, at present ?” “Oh, they ‘re assassination,” gloomily answered Wilhelm as he eyed the waiters with suspicion. The Imperial Soup- Taster then proceeded to sample the consommé, and their Highnesses, before taking any, waited patiently to see whether he would fall dead or turn green, while nothing disturbed the convivial silence, save the measured tread of the sentinel in the pantry and the smothered ticking of the infernal machine Herr Kutzenshavenlatherische: 7% TOO, that was concealed in the mashed potatoes. PAINTER, V YOU HAF THROUGH GOT YoU M SHOOST SO VELL BAINT MINE BOLE, = = O'Hoolihan: Y ORR, OL WULL; BUT BEGORRY IF Ol KNOW WHAYRE TO GET THAT STHROIPED PAINT AT ALL AT ALL! her slipper. Her ambition had been blighted and there was | but one hope. i At this moment the bell rang and Mr. Silver's card was brought up. ‘That was the hope. She played it for all it was worth, Of Mr. J. G. Blaine, also, Goldsmith might have said : “A man he was 0 all the country DEAR, And passing rich on thousands few per year.” Point IN NAVIGATION—It does not by any means fol- low that, in order to “ wear a ship,” you must put it on. TIME is money. That is why “we take no note” of time. A MERRY MEAL. | KIERNIWICE, Sept. 16th.—Last evening the Czar and Miss Jemima de Swizzle Van Dank Czarina gave a small and select dinner. Precisely at Was the daught of a Prexy de Bank. seven-thirty two cabs drew up at the door of the palace and The bank it was busted, Francis Joseph, of Austria, and Wilhelm, of Germany, And papa he dusted; entered the portals, and after hanging their crowns on the She ’s now a young lady of rank. comicbooks.com