Life, 1889-06-06 · page 3 of 20
Life — June 6, 1889 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of LIFE Magazine Page (Volume XIII, No. 336) This page contains several satirical pieces typical of early 20th-century American humor: **"At the White House"** depicts a conversation where someone named Benny proposes that the U.S. President adopt "more formality" in office conduct. The joke appears to mock political pretension and bureaucratic concern with appearances. **"Not the Right Thing to Say"** satirizes social hypocrisy—an older man warns against expressing passionate feelings to a young woman, fearing it suggests he won't live long. **"A More Pressing Debt"** shows a brief comic exchange about apologies and debts. **"Human Nature"** (bottom cartoon) depicts two men exchanging papers, likely satirizing human behavior or office politics. The overall tone reflects LIFE's characteristic social satire of American manners, politics, and human behavior.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NWICK Street. constrain sonable cx at very mat my Patented yn, which fer anything ye ads. iF passengers VOLUME XIII. : A CHILD'S LESSON, CHIL-DREN, SEE THE Lit-TLE Boy PLAY-ING WITH THE LiT-TLE Toy, CHIL-DREN, TELL ME IF YOU CAN, WHEN THE Lit-TLE Game BEGAN. TELL ME IF THE Boy SHOULD sTop, WHAT WILL HAP-PEN TO THE Top? AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 66 1 SAY, Benny, I have an idea.” “Excuse me, Mr.-Wanamaker, but a little more formality in addressing the President of the United States would not be amiss.” “You don’t say! Well, you might as well climb down off that horse now as later. I sized you up when I bought my office, and, moreover, | don't propose being snubbed by the people | trade with. You heard me say I had an idea?” “Certainly, certainly! What is it, Mr. Wana- maker?” “You know I turned Mr. Pearson out of the New York Post Office?” “Yes, I know you did; and all decent New Yorkers have despised us ever since.” “No impertinence! And I don’t know as my appointments are much worse than yours.” “Mine? That's very unkind, Mr. Wanamaker, when you know very well I have no voice what- ever in the higher appointments! But the office- seckers are waiting, and I must go down. Dear, dear, how tired my head is!" HE editor is in his happiest vain when writ- ing about his * unprecedented circulation,” FouL PLay—A cock-fight, NOT THE RIGHT THING TO SAY. Elderly Maiden (vith capital, who has just accepted him): AND Witt. YOU LOVE ME AS FONDLY AS YOU DO NOW WHEN I GROW OLD? He (reproachfully): AM, MY PRECIOUS GIRL, 18 IT POSSIBLE THAT YoU CAN THINK MY PASSION SO SHORT-LIVED [ A MORE PRESSING DEBT. 6€ 7 OWE you an apology, old boy,” said Giles. “Never mind the apology,” replied Merritt; “just let me have the V.” HUMAN NATURE,