Life, 1887-02-10 · page 3 of 16
Life — February 10, 1887 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 73 This page contains three distinct humor pieces: 1. **"Chirographical"**: A poem mocking a woman who received an anonymous love note. The joke hinges on her uncertainty about the sender's identity and the note's illegibility. 2. **Two illustrations** (top): The left shows a Chinese official's small dinner party in Washington; the right depicts what appears to be a larger American social gathering. The caption emphasizes American "cordiality to the Barbarians of the East"—likely satirizing American pretensions toward diplomatic sophistication when hosting foreign dignitaries. 3. **"He Knew Them All"** and **"A Reporter's Bad Work"**: Brief comedic dialogues—one about a student's education, another about a Chicago fire report using the term "gutted." The page reflects turn-of-century American social satire and cultural attitudes toward foreigners.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CHIROGRAPHICAL. IRECTED in a dashing way A dainty note before me lay. Above the motto, Toujours gaie, . That served to seal it, A saucy Cupid sat a-pout And roused me to an instant doubt ; From whom it came, and what about, Would Time reveal it? Had Clementina sent me word ‘That my appeals af last had stirred Her stubborn heart? Had Maud averred My love requited ! Or Chloe — but this could not be— Implored me to drop in to tea On Friday, en famille, that we Might then be plighted ? A prominent Chinese official in Washington prepares a little banquet for a very few friends. HE KNEW THEM ALL. ISTRICT SCHOOL EXAMINER: So, my little man, | you are quite a student, eh? have learned ? Well, tell me what you Did some swell dealer advertise Bargains in rugs of Persian dyes? Had Madame opened just my size In Paris bonnets? Forgetting, or unconscious that Tam a Man and wear a Hat? Or did that wretched Evening Bat Refuse my sonnet ? Poor, pretty note! The author's name I never learned, nor why it came To kindle Expectation’s flame And fondly feed it. ’Twas writ in such a stylish hand, ‘That though for many days they scanned Its scrawls, no expert in the land Could ever read it! The sensitive inhabitants, however, pour in by the hundred, and set a glorious example of American cordiality to the Barbarian of the East. A REPORTER’S BAD WORK. HICAGO Eprror (¢o reporter): In your report of the fire, you refer to the building as having been “ gutted.” REPORTER: Yes, sir. YOUNG AMERICA: Learned my letters. 7 | CHICAGO Eprror: Well, “gutted” DISTRICT SCHOOL EXan NER: Very good, and now tell me what letters you have learn=d. might do for Cincin- nati or St. Louis, but culture and refinement have got this city by the throat, young man, and our magnificent fireproof YOUNG AMERICA: Letter “a,” letter “b,” and letter rip! | buildings are no longer gutted ; they are disemboweled. comicbooks.com