Life, 1890-05-08 · page 12 of 18
Life — May 8, 1890 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Page 274 Analysis **Main Content:** The page features editorial commentary on women's rights advocates, arguing that modern feminists are more reasonable than earlier suffragists because they now focus on economic independence rather than voting rights. The author claims fashion—not men—is women's real enemy, as concern for appearance and others' opinions hinders women's progress. **Cartoons:** 1. **"Come and be Washed, Toto"**: Shows women at a bathing scene; the humor likely involves class commentary or hygiene standards of the era. 2. **"Nearsighted Sportsman"**: A hunter mistakes his shot, with comedic miscommunication between characters about what was actually hit. 3. **"After the Ball" (poem)**: A sentimental rondeau about a young man reminiscing over a dance with "Ethel," ending with the punchline that he's now broke—only has "a dime—two nickels." 4. **Miss Vassar/Mr. English dialogue**: Gentle satire about a Vassar-educated woman and an Englishman debating a Dumas novel, with the joke hinging on reading the original French versus the translation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HE Woman's Rights woman of today is a more agreeable person than her predecessor of a few years ago. She is not so clamorous for her right to vote as she is for her rights to share some of the other priv- ileges of men-especial- ly his independence in making his living, and living his life in the way that suits him best. Confidentially we woul! suggest to our sisters of Sorosis and of the other clubs that jf have lately come to- gether in convention, that they are on a bet- ter tack than were their predecessors. Further, and in equal confidence, we would suggest that man is not the worst tyrant after all, but that the woman of fashion is the real enemy. AQ fi Hl ‘The force of this remark will be better understood when : Cee AY it is considered how fashionable raiment has worked { E - Yastneoed against woman's happiness and usefulness, and how the fear of other women's opinions has retarded the Nv BE WasHtED, Toro." advancement of women, “No, No, SO! IT'S UNHEALTHY FOR ME; AND—BESIDES IAM NOT DIRTY ENOUGH From [7 Pipitina, AFTER THE BALL. (RONDEAU,) FTER the ball—the dance strains fall, Swoon and sob through my soul, and call “Eheu !” for moments gone for aye, When thro’ the waltz’s sweep and sway, I guided Ethel, fair and tall. Dear were those moments ; her sweet thrall Made in my heart mad festival ; Dear were the words I heard her say After the ball. Dear was everything, great and small, That filled those hours. As now I scrawl These lines I sigh, for I, to-day, Searching my pockets find,— what, pray ? —A dime—two nickels—that is all ! After the ball. Frank Newton Holman. ISS VASSAR: Yes, it’s one of Dumas’ novels; but it doesn’t read that way. Nearsighted Sportsman : NOW, 1SN'€ THAT IRKITATING | SHOT Mr. ENGLISH: I beg pardon, but I'm sure AWAY AND IT ISN'T A RABBIT APTER ALL! it does; I remember it distinctly. Miss VASSAR: Well, I remember just the reverse. I read it in the French while I was at the college, and all we girls talked about it. Mr. ENGLisH: Ah, that explains your mistake. I read the translation, comicbooks.com