Life, 1886-05-27 · page 11 of 16
Life — May 27, 1886 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Life" Magazine Page 305 - Explanation for Modern Readers This page contains several satirical items mocking American politics and social conventions of the era. **Main Cartoon ("Hermes Napping"):** Shows the Greek messenger god asleep while well-dressed men conduct business below—likely satirizing government inefficiency or the slow pace of official action. **Text Satire:** The "Summary" section parodies Congressional absurdity. Named congressmen (with deliberately obscured names using X's) perform pointless tasks: endless tariff speeches, resolutions congratulating foreign politicians, and petitions about trivial matters like painting the Washington Monument green. The final anecdote mocks self-interested politicians—a congressman complains that Coney Island Creek is clogged with oyster shells, disrupting his crabbing hobby, rather than addressing actual navigation concerns. **Other Items:** Brief puns ("Dam-ages," "feather bed") and a poem mocking an ungrateful schoolgirl whose friends kiss her hello but immediately ask when she's leaving. The overall tone satirizes political posturing, vanity, and disconnection from genuine public service.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE SADDEST OF ALL. HE knowledge that Mary An- derson is to retire from the stage for some years will cast a gloom over every lover of true dram- atic art. What is to become of us? The glorious example of her career temains, however, to teach us what advertising and photography can accomplish when unfettered by talent. AN OLD SEA-DOG—The Ancur. Cur Rates—Prices for engrav- ing. A Dress PARADE—Fourteenth street. Very Bap AGEsS—Dam-ages. A PEACEFUL QUILT—A crazy one, UPpsIDE DOWN—A feather bed. UNAPPRECIATIVE. = ARCASTIC maiden, home from school, Says “ How glad my friends are !" Bright as May-fields, and as cool, None know what her ends are. “First they say ‘Why, how do dear?’ Then they kiss me—smack.! Then, ‘ So glad to see you, dear, WHEN YOU GOIN’ BACK?’" - EB. 305 gentry Wasutnotos, D. C., May 7th. SUMMARY of the business of the last seven days would show that Mr, Hxwxtt, of Nxw Yxrk, made ¢ eight tariff speeches. Four members went mad and two died. Mr. Mxhxnxy, of Brxxklxo, introduced eighty-nine resolutions congratulating Ireland on Mr. Gixdstxne's pseech, England on Lord Txnnxsxn’s silence, and America on fact that he (Mr, M.) was a naturalized citizen. Mr. O'Hxrx, of Narth Cxrzlinx, presented a petition signed by one hundred and two lodges of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Hibernians praying that the Washington Monument should be painted green, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr, Randzil, of Pxnnx., asked unanimous consent to be allowed to recite a dramatic poem, which he promised would not be sad, but jovial, Mr, Phxlps of Nxw Jxrsxy remarked that as long as it was n't ‘ostler-jovial it was all right. Mr. Hxlmxn, of Liverville, Pad Co., objected, however, and Mr. Bxlmxnt, of Naw Yxrk, moved to throw the whole matter under the table and proceed to the consideration of the «River and Harbor Bill.” He bitterly complained that Coney Island Creek was so filled up with old sardine boxes and oyster shells that the channel was obstructed, the important industry of crabbing was. seriously interfered with and navigation was at a standstill. As for himself, he lived on the Great South Bay and would continue to Babylon the subject until Coney Island Creek should be cleared. He comicbooks.com