Life, 1888-01-19 · page 4 of 16
Life — January 19, 1888 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "An Unlearned Follower" Cartoon Analysis This satirical cartoon depicts two men in conversation, likely from the 1880s-90s based on Life magazine's style. The caption mocks a political follower who uncritically imitates his leader. The humor targets someone ("Sam") who adopted a wealthy man's mannerisms and appearance without understanding them—buying an expensive suit and top hat despite not understanding their purpose. The follower merely apes superficial status markers without grasping why. This reflects common 19th-century satire about class pretension and blind party loyalty. The cartoon ridicules both social climbers who mimic their betters and political supporters who follow leaders without independent thought. The detailed caption emphasizes the absurdity of mimicry divorced from actual understanding.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SOLVED. 6“ HE North-wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will poor Robin do then, poor thing?” Well, if Robin’s a bird, Not wholly absurd, He'll pack up his duds and go South until spring. If he deigns to accept The advice so inept, To stand in a barn as the poet suggested, With head ‘neath his wing, And his leg in a sling, He will die with his red-breast congested. * * * ENERAL SHERIDAN’S friends want to run him for the Presidency. A brave general never runs, BA NTG AN UNLEARNED FOLLOWER. : Say, UNCLE Mose, YO’ KNOW MY BRUDDER SAM, WoT ELF UP AS A S'CIETY GEM’N? WELL, HE’S DONE GONE BIN 'RESTED FO! STEALIN’ OB A SUIT OB CLOTH Uncle Mose: WELL, 1F HE AIN'T DE MOS’ IGN I EBBER SEED! WHY DID'N’ HE BUY A SUIT AND IT, JUST LIKE DE WHITE S'CIETY GEM'N ‘DO? * * * N VAROLE, a surgeon and physician of Bologna, is + said to have discovered the optic nerves about 1538. It is believed, however, that these nerves were commonly used by the ancient Romans all along through the B. centuries, : HE sonnet was invented by Guido d’Arezzo, in 1024. The inventcr of the triolet is buried in deserved oblivion. * * * F Ambherst’s ninety-three freshmen but seventeen smoke tobacco. The rest smoke cigarettes. * * * HAT young Dodge should not be sent to Europe where he will enjoy life. He should be kept at home and spanked three times a day. * * * T3 ORAKER'S bleat” is the irreverent term applied to the recent tariff message sent by the Governor of Ohio to the Legislature of that State by the Chicago 7rzbune, Providence Journal, and other Republican papers that ob- ject to having the wool pulled over their eyes by the oppo- nents of tax reduction. The Tribune and Journal make a great mistake. For- aker’s bray would be more in accordance with the fitness of things. * * * T is a very suggestive fact that with the accession of the Democratic Party to power the postage stamps were changed from red to green in color. We do not see how Mr. Cleveland can hope to be ac- quitted of truckling to the Irish Vote. * * * E do not credit the rumor that Anthony Comstock is about to publish an expurgated edition of Webster from which such sinful words as “naked” and “bare” shall be omitted. * * * O, Henry, when ladies appear in demi-toilet it does not mean that they are only half dressed. It means that they have more clothes on than when they are in full dress. * * * RS. CLEVELAND'S reception costumes are intensely patriotic, if the Jenkinses of the daily papers ac- curately describe them. The latest was a blue faz//e dress, red coral necklace, and a white pocket-handkerchief. No wonder the Marine Band played “,Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!” * * * IDER HAGGARD refuses to lecture in America for less than $500 a night. Mr. Haggard seems to forget that his success in this country as a romancer has been on a twenty-cent basis. If he had come high the American public would have refused to have him. comicbooks.com si