Life, 1888-01-05 · page 3 of 16
Life — January 5, 1888 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 3 This page contains several brief satirical pieces and illustrations typical of early 20th-century Life magazine humor: **"A Reverend Iconoclast"** mocks a clergyman (Rev. Dr. Hall) who tells children Santa Claus doesn't exist, arguing this dampens their happiness and makes him seem self-righteous. **"In a Storage Warehouse"** presents a brief dialogue where a warehouse owner boasts about fire precautions, while a stranger recommends viewing prominent citizens' "facial lineaments" at the Rogue's Gallery (a police photography collection), sarcastically suggesting one must commit murder to gain admission—commenting on how crime creates notoriety. **"No Concealment"** shows a simple domestic scene with minimal text. **"Striking a Balance"** depicts a financial conversation between Bagley and Gagley about bank deposits and debt—gentle satire on personal accounting. The illustrations are typical pen-and-ink sketches characteristic of the era's satirical journalism.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
«the but ches atter ar its pear- -LIFE- A REVEREND ICONOCLAST. HE Rev. Dr. Hall probably felt he was doing a pious deed when he told the little children who were so unfortunate as to listen to him last Christmas Eve that there was no such being as Santa Claus. If this reverend gentleman could convert some of his wrought-iron piety into a greater desire to see others happy, he would not only be a broader man but he would also run less risk of making him- self ridiculous. What a genial, sunshiny world we should have if the earth were peopled with Dr. Halls! Give the little ones a chance, Reverend Doctor, and although you were probably never a child yourself, try and have some respect for those ideas which you have not sufficient imagination to enjoy. IN A STORAGE WAREHOUSE. ENTLEMAN (who kas stored): I suppose you have taken all precautions in case of a fire? OWNER OF WAREHOUSE: You bet we have; we always keep a pailful of water standing in the hall, TRANGER: There are several art galleries in New York; but if you desire to inspect the facial lineaments of our most prominent citizens we recommend the Rogue’s Gallery as the most satisfactory. The sole requirement for admission is a murder or some other light crime. You may suit yourself in this respect. THOSE WHO ARE FOND OF SPORT SHOULD VISIT THE HUNTING- GROUNDS ON BROADWAY ANYWHERE BETWEEN PRINCE AND FOURTH STREETS, AND SEE THE PURSUIT AND CAPTURE OF A SOUTHERN OR WESTERN,BUYER FOR A CLOTHING HOUSE. NO CONCEALMENT. Early Morning Caller: WHERE 1S YOUR AUNTIE, ALICE? Alice: SHE IS UP STAIRS IN HER NIGHTEY, LOOKING OVER THE BALUSTER. STRIKING A BALANCE. AGLEY: Ha, Gagley, squaring up accounts for the year? GAGLEY (gloomily): Yes. BAGLEY: Hope you come out well. GAGLEY: Well, I’ve put ten thousand into the bank. BAGLEY: That isn’t so bad. I don’t see why you look so glum. GAGLEY: Don't, eh? Why, confound it, I've drawn out over thirteen thousand ! comicbooks.com