Life, 1889-12-05 · page 3 of 18
Life — December 5, 1889 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 262 This page contains three separate satirical pieces: **"Among the 400"** mocks New York high society, noting that wealthy gentleman Bradley Coddyge has "squeak" boots and wears them despite their noise—humorous because such affectation contradicts upper-class dignity. **The illustrated joke** about Dr. Killman and Mr. Berrywell appears to reference someone "running for office" while dealing with a carriage accident—likely contemporary political commentary, though the specific reference is unclear. **The final cartoon** depicts a father-son confrontation about prospects and acceptance, playing on class anxieties about social advancement through marriage. The overall theme critiques Gilded Age wealth, pretension, and status-seeking among the American elite—standard satire for Life's audience.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XIV. : 'B | F FE . NUMBER - 362. AMONG THE 400. AS Bt. Hespley-Douglas opened her carriage door lst Friday to alight, the coat of arms in the panel was considerably bruised by coming in contact with a lamp post. Mr. G. Van Rensselaer Thompson, the brother of the Duchess of Kenton, has a pair of boots that squeak. He is naturally very much annoyed, as it takes about a month to return them to England and get them back again. Thoughtful Americans will be glad to know that for quiet dignity and perfect-fitting clothes there are certain gentlemen in New York who would easily be mistaken for the real Eng- lish article. We allude, and with pride, to Mr. F. Flicker- B son Fay, Mr. J. Jumberson Jenks, Mr. C. Crampson Crymp, Mr. B. Byng Whangerly Bynse, and Mr. High Kokolorum Coxe, The engagement is announced of Mr. Cadbiddleder Waddle, of Philadelphia, to Miss Angula Sharpe, of Boston. Mr. Bradley Coddyge is very attentive to Miss Carrie Pynkhurst This gentleman is considered a great catch, as the Coddyges are one of our oldest families. Bradley drinks heavily and is singularly unintel- : ligent when sober. He has little knowledge of any profession, business - . : or trade and is a gentleman of leisure. If he were suddenly called AZZAM: Here's a very improbable story from Phi upon to support himself he would become one of the lowest specimens. delphia. of drunken tramp within a month. At present, however, his clothes LARKIN: What is it? fit well and his style is unexceptionable. Mr. Bradley Coddyge is hand- M: That a man is running for office there. some and dissipated, and the beauty of his face is not marred by any a : : ns expression, The general belief among our set (the 4oo) is that Bradley can have his choice of any girl in i R. KILLIMAN : Good morning, Mr. Berrywell! How's business ? Mr. BERRYWELL (undertaker): Very good, thank you! (To get the full force of this joke bear down very hard on the word “ you."") s Pater: ON YOUR PROSPECTS WILL DEPEND MY ACCEPTANCE Ay, I MIGHT Have EXPECTED aS MUCH! Now YOU'VE SET UP A CARRIAGE OF YOUR OWN, YOU DON'T TAKE NO NOT:CE OF OF YOU AS A SON-IN-LAW, YOUR POOR FRIENDS wito Ane OMIGED TO WALK. POVERTY re Would-be Son-in-law: H'u\ WELL, MY PROSPECTS DEPEND INDEED A CURSE!" ENTIRELY ON YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF ME AS YOUR SO s-IN-LAW. comicbooks.com