Life, 1888-09-13 · page 11 of 14
Life — September 13, 1888 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Understanding This Life Magazine Page The top cartoon illustrates a Romantic-era poem about unrequited love—"Sweet Philis loves" another man, leaving the narrator to depart "consistently" and alone. The imagery shows classical figures in an idealized garden setting, typical of sentimental Victorian verse. The main article eulogizes "Remus Crowley," an ordinary man who faithfully maintained his humble profession (implied to be an ape trainer or similar modest occupation) despite living among wealthy titans like Gould and Vanderbilt. The satire praises his contentment with obscurity—he resisted temptation toward wealth, society climbing, and politics, remaining devoted to his original calling. The bottom illustration shows an "Excited Enthusiast" discussing a fence with others, invoking "republic or despotism," apparently critiquing those who neglect civic responsibility (repairing public property). This contrasts with Crowley's admirable dedication to his duty, however humble. The message: steadfast commitment to one's role—no matter how lowly—earns genuine respect and mourning, outweighing the hollow acclaim sought by the wealthy and ambitious.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sweur Philis loves, I clearly see, And is no longer Fancy-free ; For while behind her daint Pink taper fingers clasp’ My fate its own anomalie. Like gladness of Eternitie, Shut deep in orbes of Exstacie, ‘That ‘neath their silken lashes said : " Sweet Philis loves.” ‘One more to go his ways and free: To rove as rove he may (till wed), While other hearts ‘chance may be lead, } To know, the Golden Calf, not me, . Sweet Philis loves. And I depart consistentlie, \ I CONCERNING THE LATE CROWLEY. F any citizen supposes that it is not worth while to do his best even in a humble calling, his error should be brought home to him by the death of Remus Crowley. Mr. Crowley was a modest creature. He made no pretensions to wealth, learning, political influence, or even to a particularly nice discrimination in the choice of attire. He lived in the same town with Mr. Gould, Mr. Vanderbilt, Mr. Hewitt, Mr. Fellows, and Mr. Berry Wall, but he was the rival of no one of them, And yet, it is doubtful if any of the lot would be so sincerely mourned by the people of Gotham, or get newspaper eulogies so long and so en- thusiastic as his. The reason is that he stuck to what he originally undertook ard did his best. When he came to New York he was a sort of ape, and it was his purpose so to coAtinue. The temptations of the metropolis had no effect on him, Unlike most newcomers, he did not neglect his true vocation for pursuit of wealth, the chase after fleeting pleasure, or the acquisition of a cheap notoriety. He had talents that might have made him the centre of admiring groups at Delmonico's, a favorite in some of the clubs, and the delight of many social circles, Wherever the ladder might have been placed it is likely that Crowley would have verified Mr, Webster's observa- tion, and found that there was room at the top. But, from all the allurements of society, of politics, and of professional life, he held aloof, and McAllister's CCCC. knew him only by reputation; with AN’ STOPPED UP ALI. THE CRACKS AN’ KNOT-HOLES! all his unbounded popularity, he never allowed himself to become a Chorus: SHamel Samet! candidate for office. Denying himself even the solace of family ties, Excited Enthusiast: ARE WE LIVIN' IN A REPUBLIC OR UNDER A DESPOTISM? I'VE EXAMINED THAT FENCE, AN’ THEY'VE BIN comicbooks.com