Life, 1890-04-10 · page 3 of 18
Life — April 10, 1890 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine (Volume XV, Number 380) contains two separate pieces of social satire. The main illustration depicts a scene at "The Signal Service Bureau" where a man sits at a desk consulting with visitors about weather forecasting. The caption notes "Miss Rooney always looks well for one who has so little to dress on"—a joke about modest means. The dialogue satirizes the unreliability of weather predictions. A General Greely is asked about tomorrow's forecast, and the conversation reveals contradictory predictions (rain, then clear weather, then varying temperatures) issued over nearly three weeks. The joke targets the Signal Service Bureau's inability to provide accurate, consistent forecasts—a common source of public frustration in the late 19th/early 20th century. The second item, "Always Left," appears to be unrelated verse about romantic disappointment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
She; Miss RODNEY ALWAYS LOOKS WELL FOR ONE WHO HAS SO LITTLE TO DRESS ON, He: Yes, SHE ts RATHER THIN, AT THE SIGNAL SERVICE BUREAU. HAT shall we predict in New York, General Greely, for to-morrow?" “Well, let's see; what did we predict for to-day?” “Colder and clear weather.” “ And what are they getting ?” “A heavy rain since yesterday afternoon.” Z is the middle of February, isn’t it?” it’s early in April.” “Well, give them varying temperature, with high winds.” “But, General, that’s what we have been giving them for nearly three weeks, and they never get it.” “Dear, dear ! there to-day?” “Yes, sir. A warm, heavy rain.” “Then predict for to-morrow fair weather with light winds, possibly colder in the afternoon.” How annoying! You say it is raining ALWAYS LEFT. LTHOUGH my heart's been oft awhirl, It happened thus, you see I always chanced to love the girl Who didn’t care for me. comicbooks.com