Life, 1885-01-01 · page 3 of 16
Life — January 1, 1885 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This page from *Life* magazine contains two satirical pieces about financial hardship among men of modest means. **The cartoon** (titled "Figurative") depicts a social conversation where a man announces his engagement. The snobbish responses mock the couple's modest circumstances—questioning whether the bride is "pretty" and joking about the groom being "about a million" (dollars short, presumably). **The poem "How?"** by "Clyde" sarcastically catalogs the impossibilities facing a poor man: affording cigars, dressing well, courting women, maintaining appearances, and supporting a wife—each verse ending with "He can't." **The closing note** humorously clarifies clothing terminology for the socially confused, suggesting the satire targets class pretensions and the gap between aspiration and economic reality for working-class men.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
FIGURATIVE. Snobberton: Dudley: N-N-NO, CAN'T SAY SHE IS. Snobberton: GOOD FIGURE? Dudley: Y-Vt-ES! "BOUT A MILLION. HOW? BY “CLYDE.” OW can a man on a dollar a day, Charter a seat at a popular play, And purchase cigars and tobacco, pray ? He can't. How can he sport an elegant tile, Ask his dear friends to step out for a “smile,” And stable a 2:40 animile ? He can’t. How can he frolic with better fed friends When, in cold perspiration he's at his wits’ ends If his wash-woman after her half dollar sends ? He can't. | | How can he bear to be called a “ poor cad,” | How can he dress in a big, fancy plaid, His credit won't keep—it is “ fragrantly " bad ? | He can’t. AH, DUDLEY, | UNDERSTAND YOU ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED, Is THE FAIR ONE PRETTY How buy perfumery, handkerchiefs too, The edges all stamped with a red kangaroo, And change linen cuffs every Sunday or two ? He can’t. How can he go out to ride with his “ mash” When he has n't the requisite cold-blooded cash ? Why ¢Aat is his reason for not being rash,— He can’t. How can he claim his dear girl's slender hand And circle her finger with glittering band, When his check book 's so weak it scarcely can stand ? He can't. How can he marry and furnish a wife With the many small comforts which sweeten this life ? We must state the cold truth, tho’ it cuts like a knife,— He can't. O, George, a doubloon is not a pair of trousers to be worn with a doublet, and a pair of trunks are quite | different from a waist-coat, comicbooks.com