Life, 1888-09-06 · page 13 of 14
Life — September 6, 1888 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Page Analysis This page from *Life* magazine (a 19th-century satirical publication) contains multiple brief humorous pieces rather than a single political cartoon. **"The President Sings"** at top appears to mock a U.S. president's aggressive foreign policy rhetoric—references to "twist the British lion's tail" and intimidating Canada ("Canucks") reflect contemporary jingoistic political talk, likely from the 1880s-90s based on the Blaine references below. **Other jokes target:** - Domestic absurdities (burglars, gas safety) - James G. Blaine's speaking style (the "New Bedford Mercury" and Cincinnati references mock him using "pants" instead of formal language—a class/refinement criticism) - Minor cultural observations about newspapers and French honor codes **The bulk of the page is advertising** for steel pens, cologne, tailors, hats, and pianos—typical of *Life*'s revenue model. The humor assumes readers recognize contemporary political figures and debates about American assertiveness abroad and class-conscious speech patterns at home.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
~ LIFE: THE PRESIDENT SINGS. twist the British lion's tail, Il make the Canucks fear me; We've got to fish and they cut bait— By jingo, boys, you'll hear me! —Washington Critic. BE sure to have an elaborate method of opening your doors from the inside. This will keep burglars in the, house until the police come, unless you argue too long with your wife as to whether it is the cat or a June bug that you hear counting the silver in the dining- room,—Evening Sun. CLERK ((o the new arrival): Going to stay long ? “Idon't know. Have you a boy who will go to the room with me every night and turn off the gas?” “We can furnish you with one.” “Then I may stay several days. If I had to go up alone it would be just like me to blow out the gas and die."—Circago Mail. ‘VALID: I have been here now for six weeks and I don't see that the water has had the slightest effect. Dr. Caxip: You must have patience. There was a man here last season who didn't die until after he had been here two months. MostTess: So sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Green, Visttor: Oh, don’t mention it—the anticipation. you know, is always so much brighter than the reality.—/arfer's Magazine, THE New Bedford Mercury declares that Blaine is a mere private in the Republican ranks. If 30, he ought certainly to be made an example of for persistent talking in the ranks.—Lowel! Times. Ou, Cincinnati, Cincinnati, bow down thy head and weep! What skills it that thy large but sheli-like ears ring with sweet symphonics ; that thine eyes are fixed ecstatically upon Art, particularly in the bill- posting line; that Culture, Refinement, far-gazing Science and lio- rice-lipped Song are mealers and roomers in thy palaces? Murat Halstead says “pants,” and, more monstrous still, says that Mr. Blaine, whom he has seen in London, in Homburg, in New York, correct in speech as in apparel, wears “pants.” * Pants!" Unkempt, intolerable, incondite, execrable, horrible word! What's masticating Murat, any way ?—Sun. News AGENT: Puch or Lire—all the evening papers—Pucé or LiFe! (Then tmfortunately to Old Crusty.)—Puck or Lire, sit, Puck, Puck! OLp Crusty: Why should I read Lire? News AGENT: Full of jokes. Otn Crusty: But { don't want jokes. News AGENT: Get Puck, then,—Puck. IRRITATED FRENCHMAN (fo American who has taken him for a waiter) : Sit-r. you have gr-r-r-ossly insulted me. There is my card. My seconds vill vait upon you, sir-r-r. AMERICAN: Never mind your seconds, Frenchy. You can wait upon me just as well. Pass me the Worcester sauce, and be quick about it —San Francisco Wasp. ___ The Best! YY STEEL PENS IN THE ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF DURABILITY, EVENNESS OF POINTS AND WORKMANSHIP. SOLD BY Stationers and Notion Dealers Everywhere ‘You can Hve at bomeand make more money at we: for us LADIES’ rouidh Parks Terme Petes Adare 7 Uontree® = Palmer House, Chicago. RHENISH LUNDBOKG'S RHENISH COLOGNE Is delightfully refreshing and cooling during THs MOT WEATHER, LADD & COFFIN, PROPRIETORS AND MANUFACTURERS, 84 BAKCLAY STREET, NEW YORK. Se JOHN PATTERSON & CO., Tailors and Importers, Patterson Building, Nos. 25 and 27 W. 26th St., NEW YORK. | JARAKAVER LADIES’ TAILOR, 19 East 21st St., N. Bellevue Avenue, Newport, R. IL, Ap X& €o pet copvntexraa, CELEBRATED HATS AND ROUND HATS. 178 & 180 Fifth Ave., bet. 22d & 23d Sts., and 181 Broadway, near Cortlandt St., NEW YORK, Y. is returning this week from Europe with a choice selec- tion of Novelties for the i utumn and winter tg Chestnut St., Phila. ensuing aut a d season from the leading Euro- pean Houses. BELFAST 56 Pine 6t., N.Y. 121 Broad &t., Boston, “PIANOS C.C.BRIGGS XC? 5 APPLETON ST. BOSTON MASS. MANUFACTURERS OF GRAND: SQUARE. -6--UPRIGHT Be a GRACEFULDESIgN§ «+ Sou (]NSTRUCTION MATCHLESS TONE -- BEAUTIFUL FINISH. comicbooks.com