Life, 1885-07-30 · page 1 of 16
Life — July 30, 1885 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This is the cover/feature page of *Life* magazine from July 30, 1885. The main illustration depicts a robed female figure (representing America or Liberty) seated before a starry background, gazing downward pensively beside a cross. The poem below, titled "GRANT," eulogizes President Ulysses S. Grant, who died July 23, 1885. The verses praise Grant's military service and sacrifice, noting he gave "his country...his best" despite personal hardship and declining health. Lines like "Though wrung with pain and weakened by disease" reference Grant's final illness (throat cancer). The satire appears gentle rather than critical—this is a respectful memorial piece mourning the loss of the Civil War general and former president, presented as a national tragedy. The melancholic allegorical imagery emphasizes America's grief.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NEW YORK, JULY 36, 1885. NUMBER 1355 Entered at New York Post Office as Second-Class Mail Matter. GRANT. O faultless man was he whose work is done. It is not given men to be always wise, Still shall our deeds be sometimes ill advised, While in our veins still human blood shall run. But sundered states, now one again, attest That what he gave his country was his best. Spoiled of his fortune, rifled of his case, Above all ills his stubborn spirit rose. Declining proffered affluence, he chose,— Though wrung with pain and weakened by disease,— That his own shoulders should support the weight Of woe laid on them by ungentle fate. The silent soldier: not with fulsome gaud May we oppress the chaplet that he wears. Freed from his pain, nor hears he now, nor cares If men his fame disparage or applaud. Of his renown be this the mighty meed,— He served his country in his country’s need. ELS. M. comicbooks.com