Life, 1886-04-01 · page 13 of 16
Life — April 1, 1886 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Political Satire in Life Magazine (Page 195) This page contains several short satirical jokes typical of late 19th-century American humor: **"Dan and Glover"** mocks presidential pretension—the President complains guests found his gathering lacking "Jeffersonian simplicity," but his aide reveals he simply left alcohol ("two gallon jug") in the dressing room. **"A Choice Brand"** satirizes New Money snobbery. A wealthy American businessman, "Cholly," brags that in London he obtained both a hat blocking *and* a title for ten shillings—implying American wealth can literally purchase aristocratic status abroad, a jab at both American materialism and European venality. Other jokes target emerging social trends: the eight-hour workday (labor reform), boys' coming-of-age rituals in Boston, and academic pretension. The page is otherwise dominated by **advertisements** for ladies' clothing, hats, perfumes, and merchant tailoring—reflecting Life's audience of urban, middle-to-upper-class readers.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘i FEIKORS A Milf gs AN,” said the President,‘‘I understand that some of the guests last night complained of a lack of Jeffersonian | simplicity.” “I don't see why they should,” replied Dan. ‘I left a two gallon jug of it in the gentlemen's dressing-room.”"—New York Sun, “«Papa,” said the daughter of a large employer of labor, ‘‘ are you in favor of the eight-hour system ?” ‘* Well, daughter,” he answered,‘ under certain circumstances Iam.” ‘Oh, I'm so glad !” she rapturously exclaimed. “Why, my dear, why are you so interested ?” “ Because, para George has been only staying four hours every | evening, and he told me last night if you favored the eight-hour system he need n't go home nearly so early. You dear old papa, I'm so glad you are in favor of it,” and she threw her soft white arms about his neck and choked off all explanations, — Washington Critic. OF course, red-top boots and emancipation from ‘‘ button-on- pants” count for something, but a growing boy never feels so really sure that he is getting to be a man as when he goes into Boston and the newsboys rush up at him with the cry: ‘‘ Paper, sir ?"—Somerville Journal. 195 A NEW ENTERPRISE. Did you stop long in London, Cholly ?” Cholly : ‘Just long enough to get my hat blocked and a title,” Gus : ‘A title?” Cholly; ‘Yes. An American can get his hat blocked and a title in London for ros. while he waits, Amazing place, that London.—New York Times. A CHOICE BRAND, “* Danze,” said the president, somewhat nervously, ‘look at my back.” ** What for?" asked the private secretary. ‘Am I afire ?” “* Not as I can see, sir.” “Then, Daniel, arouse the house. I tell you there’s fire somewhere. I smell it. Smells like woolen. Search the closets, Daniel ; I"m sure it’s cloth of some kind.” At this moment a servant announced ‘‘the Hon. Andrew Welch, of Illinois,” and in walked Andy smoking a Yorkville cigar.—Chicago News. Tue Brooklyn Lage tells of a western New Yorker who at- tended a political meeting in Cooper Institute, and was asked as he stepped out ; “* Who is speaking ?” “Mr. Evarts,” was the reply. “Ah! And what is he talking about ?” “Well, I dunno; he did n't say."—Zx, Ong of our professors recently created considerable merriment at his lecture by suddenly exclaiming: ‘* Won’t some one please shut off that heat? It's hotter here than—a—lI ever knew it!” —Columbia Stectator, NEW BINDING FOR “LIFE: IN MAROON AND GOLD, NOW READY. Same prices. $5 pér vol. KRAKAUER, CELEBRATED HATS LADIES’ ROUND HATS. 178 & 180. Fifth Ave., bet. 22d & 23d Sts. and 181 Broadway, near Cortlandt St., New York. Palmer House, Chicago. 914.Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. LADIES’ TAILOR, HABIT MAKER and HATTER, 19 EAST 21ST STREET, NRW YORK, Newport and London Is now exhibiting the largest selection of Stuffs and Fabnes, comprising the latest patterns from leading manufacturers in Europe — rEarsonatty SELECTED POR MY SPEC- TALTY. . Tadies who favor me with their patronage, can be assured that my establishment will, as heretofore, sustain’ its reputation’ for taste. style and unsurpassed workmanship. The Larastin Riding, Trav- cling and Yachting Hats. ‘A perfect ft guaran- teed, and every garment STRICTLY TATLOR MADE. Cavanagh, Sanford & Co., Merchant Tailors and Importers, 61 West 23d STREET, : PRIESTLEY’S SILK WARP HENRIETTAS Are easily distinguished by their softness and beauty and regularity of finish, They are made of the finest silk and best Australian Wool, and are the most thoroughly reliable goods in the market. Opposite Fifth Ave. Hotel, NEW YORK. MAKERS OF THE SHIRT PAJAMAS AND GeRS UNDERWEAR. Lundborg’s Perfume, Edenia. Lundborg’s Perfume, Maréchal Niel Rose. Lundborg’s Perfume, Alpine Violet. Lundborg’s Perfume, Lily of the Yalley. Lundborg’s Rhenish Cologne. comicbooks.com