Life, 1888-02-23 · page 11 of 16
Life — February 23, 1888 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 111 **Top Cartoon ("One Can't Be Too Careful"):** A satirical "Valentine to Victoria" (Queen Victoria of Britain), written as a love poem from America. The verse mocks American protectionist trade policies and expansionist desires, with lines like "Protection's left behind / 'Neath the tread of hoofed Desire." The accompanying sketch shows an uncle pursuing a young couple, with the girl worried about appearing "engaged"—a visual pun on America's political/economic entanglement with Britain. **"Safe Against Fire":** A joke about coal dealer insurance during labor strikes. An insurance agent refuses to insure coal because the dealer's coal "won't burn"—a dig at poor quality or that coal strikes make the product worthless. **"The Tenth Muse":** Discusses the mythological "Muse of Humor," suggesting autumn brings fresh jokes annually to newspapers. The accompanying dialogue with Miss Brown suggests humor comes from questionable social situations. All pieces use wordplay and mild social commentary typical of Life's satirical style.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LIFE: 1114 VOLAPUK VALENTINE TO VICTORIA. (With apologies to the author of From the Desert I Come to Thee.") ROM Aimerica i come to thee, On a Pegasus shod with ‘ire, And Protection’s left behind "Neath the tread of hoofed Desire. Under thy window I stand— “Phe benighted hear my cry; i love thee, i love but thee, With a love that never is shy. Till the Stars and Stripes and Bars grow old, And U.S. “plasters” turn to gold, ONE! CAN'T BE TOO: CARERUL: Z am (in a horn), your lover bold, Little un: OH, DEAR! I wisH UNCLE WOULDN'T KEEP FOL- —— LOWING ME SO; PEOPLE WILL SURELY THINK WE'RE ENGAGED! B. Zim. SAFE AGAINST FIRE. OAL DEALER: I say, Premium, this coal strike makes my losses terrific. I want to insure my yard against fire? What's the cost of a policy for ten thousand ? INSURANCE AGENT: What coal is it? Same kind you sent me last time ? DEALER: Yes, sir. AGENT: Oh, I wouldn’t insure it, if I were you. It won't burn, you know. HE trouble with the coal-strikers is that while they strike when the iron is hot, they likewise strike when the weather is cold, with Baron results. THE TENTH MUSE. ORRESPONDENTS fre- quently write to ask ques- ‘ tions on Mythological sub- » jects. The latest inquiry is as to the identity of the ri Muse of Humor. int We confess to-ignorance F on this subject, but judging ~ from the number of fresh- roasted witticisms that come up every autumn and infest the papers during the winter, the . portrait of the lady here pre- Miss Brown: YOU MUST COME TO MY HOUSE SOME DAY, ELSIE, AND PLAY. i FE Elsie: Got LITTLE BOYS THERE, Miss BROWN? —— sented will pass muster for the Miss Brown: NO, DEAR. Godd js Elsie: GOT ANY LITTLE GIRLS? less of Jokes. The name of this tenth Git Broun: NO, DEAR. muse is said to be Castanea. Elsie; THEN WHAT ARE THEY? comicbooks.com