Life, 1885-06-25 · page 12 of 17
Life — June 25, 1885 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Political Satire from Life Magazine This page presents two Aesop's-fable-style cartoons with political morals, typical of American satirical magazines. **"The Fox and the Steer"** allegorically critiques imperial expansion. A cunning Fox manipulates a Farmer into acquiring a troublesome Steer, ultimately costing him money. The moral explicitly warns against aggressive governments acquiring remote colonies—dependencies that drain national treasuries rather than generate profit. This likely references contemporary American or European imperial overreach. **"The Spider and the Fly"** uses domestic metaphor to mock carelessness. A Spider's hospitality backfires when he leaves his guest unattended; the Fly steals provisions and escapes. The final line—"We wish Mr. Buddensieck would build an office for O'Donovan Rossa"—appears to be a separate satirical jab, though the specific reference remains unclear without additional historical context about these figures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-LIFE- A MIRACLE. (La Caricature.) then started off at a brisk gait, and after dragging the aston- ished Fox five miles through a swamp, stopped on the way- side to get alunch, Just then a Farmer passed by, and the Fox offered to sell him the Steer for ten cents. This offer the Farmer refused, when the Fox paid him two dollars to take the troublesome animal off his hands—or, to speak more correctly, off his tail. Morac: This Fable teaches that it is generally unwise for an aggressive government to acquire remote dependencies, that prove a drain on the national treasury, rather than a source of revenue and power. THE SPIDER AND THE FLY. CUNNING Spider, by horrid words and improper influence, persuaded an innocent and unsophisticated Fly to enter his parlor and take a seat on the sofa. “Now, you make yourself at home,” said the Spider, “while I go out and make the cook hurry up dinner.” “Go ahead,” answered the Fly, “and I'll nibble on this grasshopper ham till you return,” The Spider at once repaired to the kitchen and ordered the cook to prepare to broil a fat spring Fly; but while he was gone the Fly loaded himself with provisions and furniture, and escaped to his chateau in the oaken glen. There he invited his friends and made merry over his great good fortune. MoRAL: This Fable teaches that one should not leave a guest alone in the parlor for a great length of time. E wish Mr. Buddensieck would build an office for O'Donovan Rossa. comicbooks.com