Life, 1888-02-02 · page 11 of 16
Life — February 2, 1888 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This 1888 *Life* page contains two satirical pieces about British royalty. **The cartoon** (top) depicts a distinguished prohibitionist complaining to a waiter that wine has weakened since last week. The waiter replies that it's the same wine—the drinker has simply grown accustomed to strong liquor. The satire mocks temperance advocates as hypocrites who claim moral superiority while secretly tolerating or enjoying alcohol. **"Life's Letter Box"** (below) is a fake correspondence between Prince Albert Edward (the future King Edward VII, heir to Queen Victoria) and Queen Victoria herself. Bertie writes requesting a 25-30 year regency so Victoria can retire to domestic life. Victoria's reply witheringly refuses, claiming she's good for "two more Jubilees yet" and won't surrender power to her son. The satire mocks the aging queen's grip on power and hints at tension between Victoria and her impatient heir—a real historical tension of the period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THIS WINE? It's THINNER THAN IT WAS LAST WEEK, Waiter : SAME WINE, SIR. LIQUORS, SIR. LIFE'S LETTER BOX. 1. SANDRINGHAM, January 28, 1888. DEAREST MOTHER : I view with alarm the rapid accumulation of vexatious questions before your Majesty, which cannot fail to become a great burden to you in your increasing years, Can I not in some degree relieve you of the distasteful details of public station? Why not, dear mother, transfer the reins for twenty-five or thirty years to your devoted son, resuming them at the end of that time, should you see fit. Devote yourself to the grand-maternal duties of the household. Give your remaining years to Brother Battenberg and his offspring—live out your declining days in the innocuous and delightful desuetude which is a part of woman's sphere. I will willingly lay down the careless CHANGE MUST DE IN You, SIR. YOU KNOW AS HOW ONE GETS USED TO THE STRONGEST butterfly existence of Princeliness to assume the heavy burdens of a Regency, should your Majesty so desire. Please answer by return mail. Your affectionate boy, ALneRT Epwarb. I, Winpsor, January 29, 1888. My Dear Bertie: Your letter touched me. I cannot permit the young days of my beloved boy to be blighted by the heavy responsibilities of kingship. 1am good for two more Jubilees yet, my boy; so do not worry about your loving mother, Victoria J. REGINA, P.S.—If you would like to bring your friend Johnnie Sullivan here to lunch some day I would be very glad to have him. V. R. comicbooks.com