Life, 1885-06-18 · page 5 of 16
Life — June 18, 1885 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 341 This page contains **heraldic coat-of-arms entries** for American families of prominence, compiled by "Perk, Ulterior Knight of Manhattan"—a satirical touch suggesting mock-serious genealogical pretension. The two main coats of arms shown are for the **Gould** and **Ward** families. The satire appears to mock American wealthy families' attempts to establish aristocratic credentials and heraldic legitimacy—a common target of Life's humor about the nouveau riche and social climbing in the Gilded Age. The accompanying text humorously describes family traits: Gould's "popularity with the masses" and love of water features, while Ward's arms reference tin mines and trusts. The lower section shifts to literary content and children's stories, unrelated to the heraldry above.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LIFE: THE AMERICAN PEERAGE. [COMPILED BY PERK, ULTERIOR KNIGHT OF MANHATTAN. ] Gould. GOuLD, Shay, Viscount Wabash, Earl of Denver and Rio Grande. The name is believed to have been formerly spelt Gulled, and may have had its origin in the well-known, open, credulous nature of those who bore it, as illustrated in the present head of the house. Viscount Gould is famous for his popularity with the masses. He delights in cultivating nature, art, and literature. He is also fond of water in various forms. Arms: Purpure ona bend sinister, or three telegraph wires proper. In the dexter chief a jackal’s head swallowing the globe sable. Crest: A robber pendant from a gallows. Motto; ‘Much I Wreck.” cHacun A son cotr. Ss Physic to a gourmand old, “ Be careful of your diet, man ; Rich food in great contempt I hold, And therefore lay it under ban. This good advice you ‘ll never rue.” Said Gourmand, “ Chacun 4 son gout.” “ You have your likings, I have mine, ‘Each to his taste,’ the legend says, High living, spiced with good old wine Has been my habit all my days.” “ Ah, then,” said Physic, “Can you doubt 'T will not be, “ Chacun a son goat?” —James Dale Rivers. OB INGERSOLL is reported to have given a large order to provide his family vault with fire-escapes. A caucus—A crow. Ward, Birdinhand, Lord Warden of the Stannaries (the royal rights in tin mines). Lord Birdinhand Ward's fidelity to his great trusts has temporarily impoverished him. It has also impoverished those who trusted. Arms: Argent, two bars gemels sable, over all a ball and chain proper. Crest: A hand reaching from a grated window to catch a bird vo- lant, which carries in its beak a tablet with the word ‘ Assets.” Motto: ‘* Watch Ward.” Seat: Ludlow Castle, New York. Clubs: Boodle’s and Police. A STORY AND SOME VERSES FOR CHILDREN. T is a sign of strength in an author to be able to write a thoroughly good book for children. He breathes in- | spiration from “that immortal sea which brought us hither,” and sees ‘the children sport upon the shore,” and hears “the mighty waters rolling evermore.” Hawthorne and Dickens did it, and kept their hearts fresh and their sympathies wide and deep. That “Charles Egbert Craddock” (Miss Murfree) has produced a healthy and elevating story for young people in “ Down the Ravine” is, therefore, to be considered a grati- fying evidence of the breadth and sure foundation of her powers. There is no sentimental nonsense about it, and the right kind of a boy or girl will be all the more delighted that there is none. Indeed, an intelligent child is more sensitive