Life, 1888-06-07 · page 3 of 16
Life — June 7, 1888 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 319 This page contains humorous sketches and short comedic pieces typical of early Life magazine's satirical format. The content includes: **"A Skeleton Subject"**: A dialogue between a father and doctor about the father's thin son, using the "skeleton" metaphor for an extremely skinny person—a common Victorian-era joke about malnutrition or poor health. **"Seaside Ecstasy"**: A man and woman observe ocean waves with exaggerated romantic language, satirizing sentimental seaside romance literature. **"Free Medical Advice"** and **"An Ignorant Sinner"**: Brief comedic vignettes about social situations. **"A Warning"** (illustration): Shows a figure near a rock marked "Salvation Army," satirizing the organization in a way now obscure. The page demonstrates Life's satirical approach to everyday social conventions and contemporary institutions through light humor rather than sharp political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
When first I heard her tender voice Roll grandly through a sparkling rillet, I wondered would her heart rejoice Should I do all I could to fill it With passion for a feeble chap, Dependent on a salary weekly— Perhaps, by some unseen mishap, I couched my words by far too meekly. I do not grieve because she came To her decision in a minute, Nor still does Love's delicious flame Consume me for the dainty linnet. I do not heed the jestings spread About the case among the fellows, But I am mad because she wed The ugly chap who pumps the bellows. HERE crimson curtains brave the soft, Exquisite strains the organ quavers, She rules, the queen ; and in the loft, Her slightest sighs are deemed as favors : The melancholy bass is gay, . If she commands it of his highness ; De WH Sey: The perfumed tenor owns her sway ‘When prompted by her pointed dryness. A SKELETON SUBJECT. BUSINESS. ATHER: I don’t see what makes that boy of mine so ORACE: I say, David, how old do you suppose Miss thin. He seems to get worse and worse every day. Jones is? Her aunt says she’s only twenty-one. Doctor, I wonder if I turned him over to you, you could Davip (who knows a little of business): Aw, yes, do anything with him? Horace, marked down from thirty-three; to be disposed of Doctor: Certainly; I could dissect him. at a bargain, don’t you see? T is curious how sweet a honey-bee is at one end, and how bitter he is at the other. SEASIDE ECSTASY. HE (looking at the sea): How grand, how glorious, George, it is to watch the angry waves as they lash themselves against the shore! HE (with equal ecstasy, but less flu- ency): Yes, and—and how damp it all seems ! FREE MEDICAL ADVICE. “ OW, doctor,” he said, as he joined the medical gentleman in the street, “in the case of a man who can’t sleep at night what would you advise?” “TI would advise him to sleep in the day-time.” AN IGNORANT SINNER. HE (at a revival): Is it possible that the little fellow sitting on the platform is the boy preacher? & WASTENG: HE: Oh, no; he is the boy preacher's THE LITTLE BOY HAS BEEN PLAYING ‘HOOKEY,” AND ON HIS WAY HOME HAPPENS little grandson. . TO STUMBLE ACROSS A ROCK WITH A SALVATION ARMY INSCRIPTION ON IT, THAT'S ALL.