Life, 1888-04-05 · page 3 of 20
Life — April 5, 1888 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page (April 5, 1888) **Main Cartoon ("Probably")**: This sketch depicts a domestic scene where a child asks their father about patrimony (inheritance). The father explains that patrimony comes from the father, then adds that matrimony is something inherited from the mother—a joke playing on the similarity of the words and suggesting wives are inherited burdens. **"The Penitent Devotee"**: A poem by Edith Sessions Tupper about a woman relieved that Lenten season ended, allowing her to resume social activities (balls, riding, sewing) she'd sacrificed for religious observance. It's gentle satire on superficial piety. **"Big Chances" and "Queer"**: Brief humorous exchanges between characters, including wordplay about poets and cemetery patronage, typical of the magazine's light satirical format.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Vo.ume XI. APRIL 5TH, No. 275. ston’s, nts. and Cana PROBABLY. “Papa, WHAT IS PATRIMONY ?” “IT IS WHAT IS INHERITED FROM A FATHER, MY DEAR.” ‘“OH—AND THEN IS MATRIMONY SOMETHING INHERITED FROM THE MOTHER ?"” THE PENITENT DEVOTEE, BIG CHANCES. G, dear, Umiquite sorry Lentis over, : LOSEBOY (to Boutwell, to whom For I've been having no end of fun; : : ‘ see : 7m he has given a cigar from his I haven’t missed balls and receptions : : aan private box): A man might smoke One bit since the season was done. . worse cigars than these, Boutwell. What with luncheons and teas and my riding, 7 Ce BOUTWELL: Yes: he (puf) might, but The sewing class, study and dress, 7” i would he (puj) dare ? And poker—I've made lots of money ! - : That devotion was crowned with success. a ORTUNATELY fe poets they are I've put in a most charming season, i 3 born, not made. Were it otherwise v-writet, _ And really I’m sorry it’s o’er ; : the law might interfere. If it were not for the bonnets at Easter, - I shouldn’t mind forty days more. "es S QUEER. nnan’s 4 Don’t talk about sin, death and folly— e ISS BJONES: What a lovely cemetery this Such topics are best ones to shun. foo is! Do you know, I think Lent is so jolly CHOLLY: Ya-as. Wonder'’tisn’t patronized more. And sackcloth and ashes such fun ! Edith Sessions Tupper. BETTER be light-headed than light-fingered. comicbooks.com