Life, 1887-12-08 · page 5 of 42
Life — December 8, 1887 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 323 This page contains three unrelated satirical items typical of Life's format: 1. **"Ancestral"** - A poem by J. K. Bangs about a woman (the "lovely Knickerbocker") who lived on Murray Hill when John Adams ruled, establishing upper-class genealogical pretension as comedy. 2. **"Always Moving"** - A brief joke about a wife hearing noises in the cellar; the husband's relief that it's merely a gas-meter suggests anxiety about domestic burglary or intrusion, reflecting turn-of-century urban safety concerns. 3. **"Its Probable Source"** and **"An Idea"** - Short items mocking journalism and offering observations on domestic life. The illustration shows a domestic scene, likely supporting one of these sketches. The content reflects Life's typical mix of light domestic humor and social commentary aimed at middle-class readers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ALWAYS MOVING. «6 JOHN,” said a frightened wife in the middle of the J night, * there is something moving down cellar, I'm sure.” John listened intently. “Oh, it’s nothing but the gas-meter pegging away,” he said, with a sigh of relief. . S the time now draws nigh when numerous patriots will try to “ get there,” it might be well to say to the public that kissing babies is not statesmanship. ANY a homely, unattractive girl gets a husband on account of her Pa value. ITS PROBABLE SOURCE. E DITOR (fo asststanf) : Here is aclipping to the effect that a Yankee has taught ducks to swim in hot water with such success that they lay boiled eggs. Do you know what paper it's from ? ASSISTANT: Must be The Christian at Work. [* is said that the poet Goethe's death was hastened by his hearing an American pronounce his name. Ancestral. yamrwas long ago tbat Grandpa courted The lovely Knickerbocker, On days when all our front=doors sported The polisbed brazen knocker. Sbe lived on Murray Dill. ’Twas when Sobn Adams ruled tbe nation, Before we built our upper ten, Witb finance for foundation. @®y Grandma? Pes. Though, as a bride, Sbe lett Grandpa dejected. You see be came on Papa’s side: a's tatber sbe selected. 3. k. Bangs. AN IDEA, “ BILLY, YER DON'T WEIGH NOTHINK AT ALL—PUT YER PENNY IN YER MOUTH AN’ SEE IF THAT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE.” comicbooks.com