Life, 1886-08-05 · page 10 of 16
Life — August 5, 1886 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Presence of Mind" - A Victorian-Era Satire This page features three comedic illustrations depicting genteel Victorian social scenarios where characters respond to awkward situations with wit rather than embarrassment. The cartoons show: 1. A woman stuffing her lunch into her hat—a humorous solution to being caught eating 2. A man conveniently "forgetting" an uncomfortable social encounter 3. A woman claiming bad luck ("How fortunate it struck me instead of you") when something goes wrong The satire targets upper-class pretension and social maneuvering—how wealthy Victorians use clever excuses and deflection to maintain appearances and avoid social embarrassment. "Presence of mind" refers to quick thinking, but these illustrations mock how that thinking often involves transparent lies or self-serving reinterpretations of events. The humor relies on recognizing the obvious absurdity of these excuses.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘LIFE - E. TURNER, of London, Ontario, wants to jump any man in America for $500 a side. The first trial is to be a running broad jump and the others three standing jumps. Here is a chance for Steve Brodie to make a little money. Let him accept the challenge and stipulate that the last jump shall be from the Brooklyn Bridge. * * * R. JACK WELCH, a pugilist of Philadelphia, an- nounces that his soul is consumed with a burning desire to meet Mr. Dominick McCaffrey “in a room.” He is willing to bet $500 of his own money that he will defeat Mr. McCaffrey. He does not mention at what he intends to defeat the gentleman. I take great pleasure in suggesting that they try their powers at a talking contest. There is nothing else that pugilists can do as well as they do that. * * * HE New York Yacht Club will make its rendezvous at New London on August 4th. The race for the Goelet Cup will call out all the big sloops, and it is hoped that Lieut. Henn can be induced to enter the Ga/atea. I am inclined to think that if Lieut. Henn does this he will be a foolish man. There is nothing like having the mysterious reputation of a dark horse to trade on; and though a white yacht can hardly be called a dark horse, still she will do well enough for an application of the old term. * * * T has been suggested to me that this department ought to have contained some remarks about the recent chess contest in England. I desire to call attention to the fact that this department is entitled “Sport.” If dny one can give a good reason for including the game of chess under that head- ing, I will apologize. * * * LL kinds of curious reports come up from the Narrows about the recent performances of the A¢/antic and Priscilla. These two boats are having brushes whenever there is any wind worth speaking of. The As/antic has beaten the Przscé//a on the wind several times, according to all accounts; but the iron sloop makes it warm for the “ Pride of Brooklyn” when they are running free. One of the most interesting items of news is the fact that the Gracze, coming up the lower bay with two boats in tow, held her own excellently with the 4//antic. If that is true, then the rule of-thumb boat has a hard job before her. I am inclined to think that Boston will have to defend the cup again this year in spite of local efforts to attain that honor. I am in- formed on very good authority that J. Frederick Tams, who has handled the Pr/sc7//a this year, and who is one of the best amateur skippers in this country, thinks very much as I do, though he is loath to say anything of the sort. * * * N Irish lacrosse team is coming over to have a hack at our players. Irish riflemen and Irish cricketers have learned a thing or two here, but the surprise party of the sporting world may prove to be this same lacrosse team. At any rate, Irishmen ought to be good at a game to which the old Hibernian rule—“ Whenever you see a head, hit it” —applies so well. Tricotrin, T is said that the position of the eagle on the trade dollar is due to its horror at finding itself in such a position. ANY thousand cattle died in Texas from drinking too much water. What a warning to our aldermen. PRESENCE “HAPPY IDEA, IN MY HAT. Pur THE LUNCH HE FORGETS ALL ABOUT OF MIND. “HOW FORTUNATE IT STRUCK ME INSTEAD OF You.” comicbooks.com