Life — August 22, 1889 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "For Hell" - Life Magazine Satirical Illustration This appears to be a satirical illustration featuring a skeletal or demonic figure perched atop an open book labeled "FOR HELL." The figure gestures toward text passages, suggesting a commentary on religious hypocrisy or condemnation. The visible text references damnation and eternal consequences ("be who of ye argue them / While false accusers appear, / We scarcely of have here"). The scholarly or authoritative presentation—shown through the formal book format—suggests satire of how religious institutions or figures use scripture to condemn others. The illustration's dark, grotesque style emphasizes the mockery of hellfire rhetoric. Without knowing the specific historical context or date, this likely critiques how religious doctrine was weaponized for moral judgment, a common target of Life magazine's satirical content.