Life, 1884-12-18 · page 12 of 16
Life — December 18, 1884 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Thirsty Rabbit" and Related Satire The main cartoon depicts a rabbit pulling a ceiling cord in a bathroom, expecting water but receiving a deluge instead. The moral warns against betting on perpetual drought—a commentary on human overconfidence in unchanging circumstances. The poem "A Fair Exchange" celebrates two British figures: Mary (praised for her eyes) and Henry (for his legs), using hyperbolic, mock-heroic language typical of Victorian satirical poetry. The exaggerated praise of body parts appears to mock either celebrity worship or romantic excess. The lower text includes brief comic anecdotes about a character named Jack—a charming but financially irresponsible friend who exploits the narrator's generosity during vacations. The final section, "Answers to Correspondents," contains humorous non-answers to reader questions, including a jest about Edgar Fawcett (an actual writer of the era) presented dismissively as merely "a writer." The page satirizes human folly, vanity, and social manipulation through absurdist humor typical of *Life* magazine's satirical tradition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A FAIR EXCHANGE. (Lines by a promising old Brit- ish Poet.) ‘OR this exchange we render thanks, And view the sight with glad surprise— The lion tamed by Mary’s | eyes, The eagle mashed on Henry’s THIRSTY Rabbit went into a bath-room to slake his thirst and jerked a string that depended from the ceiling. The next instant he was deluged with water, and came forth sadly singing “ What Are the Wild Waves Saying?” MoRAL :—This Fable teaches that it is imprudent to bet on the perpetual duration of a drought. shanks ! | The British bard devoutly begs | Of gentle people, fair and wise, A toast for Mary's matchless | eyes— | A health for Henry's classic legs. As Icng as wild waves lash the rocks That girdle England’s storied coast, Our Henry’s legs shall be our boast— Like poems prisoned in his socks. | With gentle art that never fails, Long may the light of Mary’s eyes Electrify and galvanize The noble blood of festive Wales. Could poet, fired with noble rage, Invoke the muse for higher themes, While Mary’s eyes inspire his dreams, And Henry’s legs adorn the stage? J. A.M. Friends Jack still Hate Says it’s Do so. MOKE. Dust. Jack goes into forward car. wish him to play a little poker. Hours pass. playing a little poker. Terribly stupid traveling alone. poker, and keep away from it. Jack back again. awfully funny, but, fact is—will I lend him a V? Wish had remained in city. * * * EEN away from town two weeks. L— very fashionable resort. Also expensive. Awfully so. Jack lion of the place from first day. No end of conquests, consequently no end of driving, bouquets, 607 dons at my expense. Queer Jack never receives that check from the city. Begin to see how he keeps in the swim at Newport and elsewhere. Shall re- turn to town to-night. ET Jack on the avenue. Rushed up and wished to know why I left L— so soon. “Just beginning to get acquainted and all that.” Impudence! but Jack is one of those fellows no fellow cam cut. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. GR. CAP-L :—Where was Moses when the Israelite went out? Answer this and we will inform you where our friend Ben Butler is. George :—Edgar Fawcett? Who ishe? Surely you are not so ignorant as not to know who Edgar Fawcett is! Why, he’s a—a—a writer. Writes books, you know, and essays; and Socialettes and is really a rattling good penman. comicbooks.com