Life, 1888-01-12 · page 7 of 16
Life — January 12, 1888 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 21 The top cartoon, "Curious Effect Produced by a Few Words with a Bostonian," shows a four-panel sequence where a man in a top hat progressively shrinks after conversing with another well-dressed gentleman. This satirizes Bostonians' reputation for intellectual superiority and cutting remarks—suggesting that interaction with a Boston native literally diminishes one's stature through verbal wit or condescension. "The Eagle and the Donkey" is a fable where a donkey admires an eagle's lofty existence but cannot endure the hardship of mountain life, ultimately plummeting to his death. This likely satirizes social ambition and the gap between aspiring to higher status and managing its actual demands. The remaining content includes poetry and unrelated editorial material.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
it una CURIOUS EFFECT PRODUCED BY A FEW WORDS WITH A BOSTONIAN. THE EAGLE AND THE DONKEY. NCE upon a time a Donkey, who was partaking of his midday meal of thistles, chanced to raise his eyes to the heavens, where he observed an Eagle circling in lofty flight. “What a glorious life that bird leads,” said the Donkey ; “far above the care and turmoil of this dull earth he sails majestically through the air, admired by all.” And he became troubled with a strange unrest. Presently the Eagle alighted on a tree near by, and the Donkey, with a wild yearning, galloped over and asked the royal bird the place of his abode. “Far in the mountains, high above the dwellings of men and beasts,” replied the Eagle. “I would fain go with you there,” said the Donkey. ‘I am sick of this lowly life. I would stand on the heights. I cannot fly, of course, but I am sure-footed.” “Come with me, then,” said the Eagle. ‘He who can tread the path will in time reach the heights, but I warn you that the road is long and weary.” Through the green pastures, up the hillside, wearily over the mountain steeps the Donkey followed the Eagle until they reached the bare gray granite peaks, snow-capped and shattered by the lightning. “‘But there are no thistles here,” moaned the Donkey ; “T shall starve!” “None can dwell on high without some suffering,” replied the Eagle. ‘t What are a few thistles compared with the glory of dwelling at this elevation! Just look down.” The Donkey did so, but, faint with hunger, his senses failed him on the brink of the abyss, and he reeled over to be dashed on the rocks thousands of feet below. “Poor fellow!” said the Eagle; ‘the would insist on getting out of his element.” MoraL: Even a Jackass should stick to his created purpose, considering which we can’t see why A—y C—mst—ck dabbles in art. G. E, Hanson. 'HE Afchison Globe tells of a number of young people who, desirous of knowing their future husbands or wives, recently decided to put wedding-cake under their pillows at night, and dreamed of the following : 1, of her grand- mother ; 2, of a snake swallowing a man; 3, of an elephant skipping a rope; 4, of a runaway team; 5, of a railroad accident ; 6, of a murder ; 7, of a fight between male cats. The following day they decided to swear off matrimony, among other vices, with the beginning of the New Year. Te Evening Post sends us a Pamphlet entitled “A Bill to Promote Mendicancy.” We are opposed to it. The higher grade in the mendicant’s ladder is buglary, and our Religious Contemporaries steal enough jokes from us as it is. : A WINTRY HEART. HENE’ER thy bosom, from its robe’s dark night, Peereth 'twixt clouds of folded lace back-rolled, Methinks how like the frozen moon "tis white,— And how—alas !—moon-like, ’tis ever cold. C. H. Liiders. comicbooks.com