Life, 1891-01-01 · page 3 of 18
Life — January 1, 1891 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This *Life* magazine page contains New Year's reflections circa 1891-1899. The top illustration shows "To Everybody" — a figure looking back at troubles from the past year. The right illustration depicts Time as a winged figure dispensing fates from an hourglass marked with years. The dialogue "All Off" features Mr. Cleverton swearing off vices (smoking, drinking) on New Year's, a common satirical trope mocking New Year's resolutions that people rarely keep. The "Very Interesting" section jokes about Marie Bashkirtseff, an obscure historical figure whose journal apparently became noteworthy. The final quip about whistles and girls' anatomy is crude period humor. Overall, this page satirizes New Year's renewal hopes and human weakness in maintaining reform.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XVII. ° [. | F FE ° NUMBER 418. N New Year's day, before the coals, We sit and ] der why We made so many blunders in The year that’s just gone by. We look back on our many calls On fickle F & 's hard blows, And fondly hope that this year's joys Will outweigh last year's woes. And yet if it should happen that ALL OFF. By time's be Q decree, ISS ELDERBY (during Mr. Cleverton's New Year's The same old troubles should come back call): Won't you take a glass of wine, Mr. To test both you and me, Cleverton ? CLEVERTON: Thanks, but I've sworn off. _ Miss ELpersy: Then, perhaps, I can tempt you with a His! level best, awd 18 content, cigar? There's sure to be a prize CLEVERTON: No, thanks, I've sworn off smoking, too, ” Jom Masson. Miss ELDERBY: Indeed! Then I don’t know what I can do for you. Wouldn't you like to step into the other room and look at our Christmas mistletoe ? CLEVERTON (d/ushing): I'm very sorry, but I've sworn off everything. Remember that, in this queer world, For every | who tries VERY INTERESTING. Chee A Chicago paper announces that it has secured the services of Marie Bashkirtseff as a con- tributor. Mappox: Well, her journal of the last few years might be very interesting reading. You can’t make a whistle out of a girl's pucker. comicbooks.com