Life — October 28, 1886 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Blood Will Tell" - Life Magazine, October 28, 1886 This political cartoon satirizes the Earl of Londonderry, depicted as a grotesque, insect-like creature with aristocratic features. The caption reads: "Outraged Ancestor: Shades of all the Lowthers! This the Earl of Londonderry!!" The satire appears to criticize the Earl's behavior or character as a betrayal of his family lineage (the Lowthers were his ancestors). The exaggerated, monstrous depiction suggests moral degeneracy—that his conduct has "revealed" his true nature despite his noble birth. Without additional context about 1886 events involving Londonderry, the specific scandal or action being mocked remains unclear, but the cartoon clearly uses physical caricature to express contempt for what the artist viewed as his shameful conduct or hypocrisy.