Life, 1890-05-29 · page 11 of 18
Life — May 29, 1890 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "A Fair Recompense" - Life Magazine Satire This cartoon depicts an angel addressing a man (identified as "a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum") in a celestial setting. The satire concerns charitable donations and moral reward. The angel ironically tells the trustee that despite his "pious life" and museum donations, he will only reach the "lower regions" of Paradise. The twist: the angel explains this isn't punishment but *reward*—he'll enjoy six days weekly freedom in "celestial gardens" to escape his fellow wealthy donors. The satire mocks how the wealthy use charitable giving to pursue social status while their actual moral character remains questionable, and suggests even in heaven, the truly virtuous would prefer to avoid their company.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
> LIFE: FORCE OF HABIT. “THOMAS, what is ophthalmia?” asked Speaker Reed's wife. “1 don’t know,” replied the Speaker; “ but the eyes have it.” A BAD BREAK. OOK-KEEPER : I'm sorry to say, sir, that my grand- mother is dead. Boss: That's sad. Is she going to be buried this afternoon ? BOOK-KEEPER; Yes, sir; if it doesn’t rain. 315 AND CHAPPIE CEASED TO SMILE. ae LARA JOHNSON says you and I are engaged, Ethel,” said Chappie. “Clara Johnson always did say every spiteful thing about me she could think of.” ENNYSON ADAPTED TO PHILLADELPHIA.—Never morning wore to evening but some bank did break. A MISSIONARY ROUTE—The alimentary canal. GIVE US THEIR NAMES. ~ UMWAY : Whom did the Pres- ident mean when he spoke of “tried and true Republicans?" STAGGE: Not Quay and Dud- ley, anyhow; they haven't been tried yet. A FAIR RECOMPENSE. TRUSTEE of the Metropolitan Museum was waiting in one of the outer’ vestibules of Paradise. His post mortem reflections were gladdened by the assuring memories of a most exemplary life, as he gazed with reproving pity upon the trembling souls about him. In his turn he stood before the recording angel. A momentary anxiety was easily dispelled by the recollection of a pious life and his liberal donations to worthy charities. - Said the radiant figure: “Six days of .every seven you shal have. the freedom:of these celestial gardens. The seventh you will pass in the lower regions.” “But why?” exclaimed the trustee in amazement. “ What have I done to deserve such punishment ? ” “It is not a punishment,” answered the angel, with a Heavenly smile, “but a reward, As custodian of objects of beauty upon the earth, you shut them from the gaze of your fellow creatures every Sunday. These celestial réalms are even more beautiful, and it is from deference to your very positive convictions that this special rule is’ made in your behalf.” comicbooks.com