Life, 1890-04-03 · page 8 of 14
Life — April 3, 1890 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 196 This page contains two satirical cartoons separated by a theatrical sketch titled "Easter Bells." **Top Cartoons:** - **Left (October '89):** Shows well-dressed men examining a tiny figure, captioned "What is this amusing little object?" — likely satirizing how wealthy society views poor or working-class people as curiosities rather than equals. - **Right (April '90):** Depicts a man with a young child, asking "Great Scott! Who'd have thought it would grow so big in this little time?" — appears to mock the rapid growth of something (possibly a social problem or political issue) over six months. **"Easter Bells" Sketch:** A church dialogue satirizing Easter bonnets, social pretension, and the gap between religious devotion and fashionable display among wealthy parishioners. The page exemplifies *Life* magazine's focus on class commentary and social hypocrisy in 1880s-90s America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OCTOBER, ’89. Chorus of League Magnates: “WAT AS THIS AMUSING LITTLE OnJECT.” APRIL, ’90. “Great Scorr! WHo'p A THOUGHT IT WOULD Grow SO BIG IN THIS LITTLE TIME? EASTER BELLS. REFORE CHURCH. SE (putting on his gloves): My dear, | fear Qwho is'nt nearly ready): | intend to be, love. Mk. CREEMCHEESE (surprised) : Indeed ! Mrs, Crremcuerse: Yes, love! This bonnet will excel any other work of the milliner’s art in church this morning, and it must have the benefit of a progress up the centre aisle when all the seats are filled. Mr. CREEMCHEESE: But there is sure to be a crowd to-day, and our pew may be occupied. We can hardly expect to have it reserved for us on Easter morning, you know, Ada. Mrs. CREEMCHEESE : O, the ushers wouldn't dare put any one in our pew, IN CHURCH, MR. SHONDULIX (whispering to his wife): Aren't the decorations fine ?- Those lities in the chancel are simply exquisite. Mrs, Sronputix : Yes, but just look at that horrid Mrs, Creemcheese sailing up the aisle fifteen minutes late! Why don’t you make your responses, John ? Boru (in unison with rest of the congregation): And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. Mrs, SrONDULIX : She's always here in time unless she has a new bonnet or a new gown to exhibit. Born (with cong ever shall be. Mrs. Sroxputix : Her new bonnet isn't at all becoming. is something dreadful. Born (with congregation) : The Lord's name be praised, Mus, Sronputix (’n @ louder whisper): Good! It serves her right ! with congregation): Amen! NDULIX (as congregation sits): Serves whom right ? Mus. Sronputix: Why, don’t you see Mrs, Creemcheese 's coming down the aisle again, with her face just as red ? Mk. Sronpvtix: The choir is doing that anthem very well indeed, What's the matter with Mrs, Creemcheese ? Mrs. Sronputix: Why, their pew is filled with strangers. Serves her Tight for coming late to show her bonnet egation): As it was in the beginning, is now, and Her taste 1 hope she’s enjoying this extra exhibition she didn't contemplate. O, there, the McDollers have made room for her. Mr. Creemcheese has to stand with the crowd at the door. I just pity that poor man, Yes, indeed, the choir did that splendidly. Is my hat on straight? It’s just as pretty as Mrs. Creem- cheese’s—every bit, Don't you think so ? Mr. SronpULIX : Ah! Dr. Choker is just beginning his sermon. Mrs. SPONDULIX : O, dear! How tiresome sermons are, especially at Easter. AFTER CHURCH, * * * MR. SponDULIX (shaking hand with the rector): That was a fine sermon you gave us, Doctor. Mr. CHokeRr: Glad you liked it. Mrs. SroNDULIx : O, we did, ever so much. I could not help whis- pering to Mr. S. what a pleasure it was to listen to you. (7o Aer hus- band, as Dr. Choker turns to shake hands with another parishoner) Is straight 2 js my hat on straig 5 a Miss Manet: Just to think! Mrs. Creemcheese sat with Mrs. McDoller. Why, she never would notice her before. Miss Amy : It was Hobson's choice, I think. The Creemcheese pew was ull. ©, here comes Charlie. How do I look ? Miss Manet: Just splended ! CHaRLie (4/ting his hat): U hope you young ladies enjoyed the service. Botit: Yes, indeed! Didn't you ? Cuartie: Can't say I did. My new bonnet didn't come home in : O, you dreadful boy | Miss Manet: That's real unkind ! CHARLIE: Tsee that both of yours did, and how well they become you, too, Well, I must turn off here. Good moming ! Miss Amy: Isn't be splendid ? Miss Manet: Yes, indeed ! I quite envy you his attentions. . ° . Mrs. CREEMCHEESE (as the carriage rolls homeward) : Charles! Mr. CREEMCHEESE: Well? Mrs. CREEMCHEESE: I want you to make the vestrymen discharge every one of those ushers ! Wm. H., Siviter. comicbooks.com