Life, 1888-02-16 · page 3 of 20
Life — February 16, 1888 — page 3: what you’re looking at
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# "Cupid à la Carte" - Analysis This satirical poem mocks the uncertainty of romantic choice. An old nymph studying a menu (representing suitors) cannot decide whom to pursue: should she send for a "gallant lover," choose another man ("dull, or coarse, or old"), or request wealth ("dazzle and glitter of gold")? The accompanying illustration shows Cupid presiding over a scene of multiple figures—apparently representing various romantic options—as if love were a restaurant menu to be ordered from rather than an authentic emotion. The satire targets wealthy Victorian women's mercenary approach to romance: reducing love to a transactional choice based on appearance, status, or wealth rather than genuine feeling. The "à la carte" metaphor emphasizes this commodification of romance.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
>rica f the akers, of eason storm. as in- about every 1 suc: wine Y. rontains the in- Il bea to Lin- coupled been a of the 1 key to nen. another strology, ey, “At pears in e of the ication, | rave Mr. officials} ng in Tut jal Offers ember ar Dr, mew su] he past yea! subscription Vo.umeE XI. No. 268. FEBRUARY 16TH, 1888, CUPID A LA CARTE. O old-time nymph was prettier Who dreamt but of love and sighs, Than she who the menu was scanning With such grave and thoughtful eyes. Shall she send for some gallant lover, Whose eyes are all ablaze With what he alone can offer— Love and a lover's praise? Or shall she choose another, Be he dull, or coarse, or ld, If only he bring the glitter— The dazzle and glitter of gold? And now the order is given, ‘The waiter has hied him away ; But another waits beside her, And asks what she'll order to-day. Thoughts that are hard, that are tender, Shine trembling in her eyes ; She's frowning and she’s smiling— Untasted the supper lies. And so I leave her debating The claims of her greed and her heart, Not knowing what to order Of the Cupid 4 /a carte, Francis Sterne Palmer, SINGULAR PHENOMENON. PECULIAR phase of the recent milk famine was to be noticed in the undiminished quantities of ice-cream turned out. A dearth of the bovine beverage has no more effect upon the production of ice-cream than a sudden rise in the price of coal. THERE IS ONLY ONE THING TO BE DONE IF YOU OWN A WHITE HORSE AND THE COLOR OF YOUR BEST GIRL'S HAIR Is— Cuestnut! HOFMANN’S RIVAL. NEw York, February, 1888. EAR LIFE,—I am a musical prodigy with a capital P. Doubtless you are frightened, but you cannot help yourself this time; I want you to engage me as a rival to Josef Hofmann. It is true I am older than Josef, but I can play louder—so we are about equal. I can play “See-Saw” with one hand and “Sweet Violets” with the other, at the same time whistling “Johnny, get your gun!” as an accompaniment. I can astound and horrify my listeners with the easiest as well as with the most difficult music, while my improvisa- tions are marvelous. 1 guarantee that any given theme will be totally unrecognizable for one week after my digital en- counter with it. I have composed a comic opera which ranks with Wagner. Even the managers laugh when reading and rejecting it. I prefer melodramatic music in which the moonbeams are heard trickling down the hero's back; but this preference probably rises from the fact that shivery music is the least difficult to me, as I stutter. When I play I am quite beside myself, as no one else will come near me. My aspect is pleasing. Won't you send for me? look will be sufficient. Yours, unappreciated, Nero O'Flynn. One. comicbooks.com