Life, 1890-01-30 · page 3 of 16
Life — January 30, 1890 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page (Volume XV, Number 370) **Top Cartoon:** "Our Wonderful New York Cli-Mate One Day & The Next" depicts the dramatic weather shifts New Yorkers experienced—showing people in summer clothes one day, winter coats the next. This is straightforward satire about unpredictable climate. **Main Article:** "The Encouragement of Alcohol" criticizes the Metropolitan Museum's proposed Sunday openings, arguing that instead of appreciating art, working-class visitors will seek alcohol for "relaxation." The piece sarcastically suggests posting "THE POOR BE D—D" to discourage them. **Dialogue Section:** A conversation between an Exhorter, Young Man, Rev. Dr. Primrose, and Little Johnnie satirizes temperance advocates' hypocritical moralizing while themselves engaging in casual vice—the reverend offers cigarettes while condemning alcohol. The overall theme: class-based hypocrisy regarding moral reform.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF ALCOHOL. ] F the trustees of the Metropolitan Museum had more sympathy with working peo- ple and less respect for their own cast-iron opinions the doors of that institution would be open on Sundays. Paintings and statuary are not going to debase the poor, even on the Sabbath. Make an effort, gentlemen, and try to realize it! But if, as appear- ances indicate, you have made up your minds that you will not realize it, put up a sign over the principal entrance every Sunday morning, and let it bear these words: THE POOR BE D—D. This will show that you have the courage of your convictions, and as the laborer, with his overworked wife and sad-eyed children, trudges back to his sunless home you will have taught him, once again, that he must look to alcohol for relaxation on the Sabbath, and not to Art. SEE HIM LATER. XHORTER: I tell you, young man, you are going straight to Hades, YOUNG Man: All right, old fel. Au revoir! EV. DR. PRIMROSE: If you throw away that nasty cigarette butt I'll give you a cent. LITTLE JOHNNIE: All right, mister. Rev. DR. PRIMROSE: Now, what are you going to do with the cent? LITTLE JOHNNIE: Buy a whole one. “ISN'T THE WEATHER HOR- rin?” “YES, BUT WE HAVE BROUGHT IT ON OURSELVE: “WHAT DO YOU MEAN? “Why, IT 15 SIMPLY AN- GLOMANIA, DON'T YOU KNOW ; GOES ABOUT WITH ITS TROU- SERS TURNED UP AND ALL THAT SORT OF THING.” comicbooks.com