Life, 1890-12-25 · page 21 of 51
Life — December 25, 1890 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a romantic humorous poem illustrated with decorative sketches. The piece plays on Victorian courtship customs around Christmas greenery. The narrative follows a young couple at a holiday party. The woman admires the holly decorations; the man uses the mistletoe (a traditional Christmas kissing plant) as an opportunity to kiss her. Later, the speaker observes them walking together "as if through Paradise," seemingly now a couple. The joke culminates in the woman's final line—she scolds her boyfriend Jack for being "stupid" and insists she'll wear orange flowers (not traditional bridal flowers), suggesting either she's playing hard-to-get or the relationship isn't as serious as it appeared. The poem gently satirizes Victorian romance conventions: the use of holiday plants as romantic pretexts, the coy behavior of courtship, and the uncertainty of whether a single kiss means genuine attachment. The author is credited as Edward Irenaeus Stevenson.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CHRISTMAS DeCEMBER, Numner. 1890. 1820. CHRISTMAS BOTANY. JRESH from their dance, they paused awhile A little later, in a nok, And looked about the room. I saw the pair secluded, ‘The Christmas candles sparkled clear, Her face was flushed—and he looked—well, White roses breathed perfume. As likely once you, too, did The walls, all brave with greenery But what had happened is much more Re-echoed Christmas folly. Than I can swear I know ; “Ah,” she exclaimed, ‘of all that grows, Lonly vouch for what he urged ; Give me the dear old holly !" “It was the mistletoe.” 4. ctahls ho Once more ere holidays were done I saw those two, one day. They walked as if through Paradise, Each footstep sped their way. And lagging at her side, I caught A voice to haunt dull hours, “Why Jack, you stupid boy ! Of course, I shall wear orange tlowers.” —Ldward Irenaeus Stevenson ) 1 + ) ‘ J . < . . S wT a“ ¢) ~ ~ > y @) ~ v) SN ~ N 5 cl. U- comicbooks.com