Life, 1886-07-29 · page 15 of 16
Life — July 29, 1886 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily an **advertising page** from the satirical magazine *Life*, with two brief jokes embedded among the commercial notices. ## The Jokes: **First joke** (attributed to *San Francisco Alta*): References the scandal of married men eloping with other men's wives—apparently so common that Chicago's involvement is "almost inevitable" in press accounts. The satire mocks both the prevalence of such affairs and the Eastern press's formulaic reporting. **Second joke** (from *New York Sun*): Mr. and Mrs. Bently discuss an article claiming "Mugwumpism" (political independents/reformers) is increasing. Mrs. Bently, knitting, suggests they "try Pasteur"—a joke treating Mugwumpism like a disease requiring medical treatment, referencing Louis Pasteur's germ theory. The humor lies in the absurd conflation of a political movement with an infectious disease. ## Advertisements: The rest of the page features typical Gilded Age ads for women's fashion, carriages, soaps, and imported goods—targeting wealthy New York consumers. The woodcut illustrations depict fashionable women in period dress.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HENRIETTE FRAME, ROBES and MANTEAUX, Solicits an inspection of some very beautiful designs for evening dress, wraps and Street Costumes, select- ed during her trip abroad, suitable for Fall and Winter. Out of town orders receive special attention. Perfect fit guaranteed on receipt of ;- measurement. 232 West 22d Street, NEW YORK, B&H. T. ANTHONY & CO. sor Broadway, N.Y. Jo8n (Patterson & Co. Wailors & Fmporters, ° fro. 436 Hirth Avenue, Ladies’ Department, i Fo. 431 Fifth Avenue, Spe Pork. “ THEY are now in Chicago,” is the almost in- variable ending in the Eastern press of accounts of elopements of married men with other men’s wives.—San Francisco Alta. OLD Mr. BENTLY (reading the paper): I see that the Evening Post claims that Mugwumpism is increasing. Old Mrs. Bently (interested in her knitting): Is that so? I wonder they don’t try Pasteur.— New York Sun. Touet Soaps: “You have demonstrated that a ferfectly pure soap may be made. I, therefore, cordially com- mend to ladies and to the community in general the employment of your pure La Belle ® toilet soap over any adulterated article.” Is made from the choicest quality of stock, and contains a LARGE PERCENTAGE of GLYCERINE; therefore it is specially adapted for Toilet, Bath and Infants. E. D. KAHN & CO. 56 WEST TWENTY-THIRD ST., Are offering unusual inducements in Choice Novelties for SEASIDE AND MOUNTAIN WEAR. Wraps, Jackets, Ulsters, Costumes and Millinery, and invite early inspection. E. D. KAHN & CO., 56 West Twenty-third Street, N. Y. ELTERS WATER FROM THE MINERAL SPRING OF NIEDER-SELTERS, Settled under supervision of the Prussian rovernment, Recommended by the leading European Medi- fl authorities as a Table Water. Beware of Imigations, ANTHONY OECHS, 51 Warren St., Sole Agent for the U. S. NOTICE. Prince Lichtenstein’s Hungarian Gypsy Band just returned from a Concert tour through the western cities and have been re-engaged by the Eden Musée, where they played with much success their lively music during several months. JAMES W. 39 WOOSTER STREET, RENWICK, AS in stock a large assortment of seasonable CARRIAGES, of all leading styles, at ‘oderate prices. Also, a large umber of second-hand car-_ fages by Brewster & Co. (of *®& Proome Street), and other city hakers, THE PAJAMAS AND G eS) Cavanagh, Sanford & Co., Merchant Tatlors and Importers, 61 West 23d STREET, Opposite Fifth Ave. Hotel, NEW YORK. MAKERS OF SHIRT UNDERWEAR