Life, 1887-05-26 · page 5 of 18
Life — May 26, 1887 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 289 This page contains several brief satirical pieces rather than a single cartoon. **"Solved at Last"** jokes about the difference between Tweedledum and Tweedledee (characters representing two similar political figures), with the punchline that one is dumb while the other is deaf—implying both are equally useless. **"The Czar has suppressed Count Tolstoi's 'Powers of Darkness'"** references Russian censorship of the famous author's work, satirizing governmental suppression of literature. The remaining items are short humorous anecdotes about American life—a Boston woman wearing trousers (scandalous for the era), a conductor's response to passenger complaints, and observations about prohibition and political candidates. The cartoon **"A Strong Bit of Color"** depicts weightlifting, likely commenting on strength or athletic prowess. The overall tone mocks censorship, social pretension, and political incompetence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SOLVED. AT LAST. HE difference ’twixt young Tweedledunt And Tweedledee, in brief, Is that young Tweedledum is dumb, While Tweedledee is deaf. HE Czar has suppressed Count Tolstoi’s ““ Powers of Darkness,” but he will not | find it so easy to suppress some other powers of darkness, with which His Majesty may eventually come in contact. HE SHOCKED HIS MAMMA. “ AMMA,” exclaimed a precocious New York boy, “the policemen of Boston don’t wear pants.” “Gracious!” exclaimed the scandalized lady, “you don't tell me.” “It’s a fact,” persisted the boy; “they wear trousers !”" HOW HE WAS FEELING. LD TIMER (¢endering pass to con- ductor): How are you feeling this morning, conductor? ConDUCTOR (handing back the pass): I’m feeling “fare,” thank you! PICTETUS was a far-seeing man. Said he: “ Remember you are but an actor, acting whatever part is given you. /¢ may be short or it may be long.” If this was not a prophetic allusion to the long and short haul clause in the Interstate Commerce Act, we have failed to catch Epictetus’s spirit. T is rumored that the prince of whales was lately captured by New England fishermen off Gloucester. This would seem an infringément on the present fish-treaty. A STRONG BIT OF COLOR. ANOTHER PHASE OF PROHIBITION. English Traveler (troubled with Insomnia): CAN YOU GIVE ME A LONDON PUNCH? Indignant Proprietress (with vehemence): No, SiR! WE DON'T KEEP LIQUORS OF NO SORT HERE. THE TWO RATS. N old rat, whose long residence in the city had given him great knowl- edge of the wiles of civilized life, observed one evening a tempting bit of cheese close by his favorite hole in the wall. Instead of greedily rushing at it, he called a young friend, saying, “ Whis- kerando, some kind person has prepared a feast for us. Help yourself.” The guileless innocent rushed on the cheese, which he devoured vora- ciously ; but, alas! in a few minutes he rolled over on his back, stone dead. The dainty was poisoned. “My experience in Wall Street has stood me in well,” mused the old rat as he turned into his hole; “it is safer to give other folks pointers, and pocket your commission, than to risk your all on a wildcat investment. G. E. Hanson. Lua may have spoken truly when he observed that in a state of anarchy power is the measure of right; but had he known the an- archist of to-day, he would have added that he made no reference to water- power. A POLITICAL DIFFICULTY. “ ET us elect to our halls of legislature,” shouted an eloquent can- didate, “men who are endowed with common sense.” A momentary pause here for the sentiment to be applauded when a voice came from the gallery: “But you can’t get such men to run!” N advertisement for a complexion cream says: “It is used by ladies, school-girls and gentlemen after shaving.” What can be nicer than a freshly shaven little school-miss of about sixteen summers? comicbooks.com