Life, 1887-04-28 · page 7 of 18
Life — April 28, 1887 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 235 **Top Cartoon: "Not to Blame for It"** This sketch depicts a social scene where a man (identified as Mr. Philip Ferdinand Horton Rhine-Lander De Pell) arrives at what appears to be a dinner party. The proprietor questions his identity, and a waiter responds that the guest "hadn't suffer ter do wie gives yo' dat name"—suggesting the man inherited his elaborate, aristocratic name rather than earning it. The satire targets the pretensions of the wealthy upper class who derive status solely from inherited names and lineage rather than personal accomplishment or merit. **Lower Section: "A Tale of Two Spirits"** This story features two ghosts debating Boston's moral decline—one from 1887, another from an earlier era. The satire critiques contemporary society's perceived corruption, contrasting past virtue with present degeneracy. The narrative voice suggests social anxieties about modernization and moral standards.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
* DEE - 235 NOT TO BLAME FOR IT. Mr. R. De Pell (with asperity): THE PROPRIETOR WANTS TO KNOW WHO I aM! I’m Ma. PHILIP FerDIvanp Horton RUINE- LANDER DE PELL. Waiter: Wet YO’ OUGHTN’T TER GIT MAD AT MF, SAH; [ HADN'T NUFF! A TALE OF TWO SPIRITS. | HE Ghost of old John Endicott was one night wandering aimlessly | through the streets of Boston, when he ran across the Spirit of the Times, who had just been attending a comic opera. “Friend,” said the Ghost of Endicott, “I feel myself lost; can’st tell me the time?” “ With pleasure, sir,” responded the other, “1887.” “An evil time,” said the Ghost; “here in this old city of the saints, | where once the ungodly were given to the edge of the sword, the sons of Belial now throng around ball-players and prize-tighters.”” | “Ah, now, I recognize you, Governor,” rejoined the Spirit of the Times, “You came over here in old days to get what yow wanted; and that is | what we are trying to do now.” “But the glory is departed:—the reign of evil is come,” sadly responded Endicott. . | “Stuff!” exclaimed the Spirit of the Times, as he threw off his hat | and dress coat; “do you know me now? I have watched all times and peoples since the days of Abraham, and I know that Human Nature will | eternally break through all cast-iron rules. You cannot put shackles on the Future.” S Which some zealots might profitably bear in mind. | GRanpMa's PoRTRAIT GOES TO THE EXHIBITION lie comicbooks.com