Life, 1891-02-05 · page 3 of 16
Life — February 5, 1891 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page (Volume XVII, Number 423) This satirical page contains several unrelated humor pieces typical of Life's format: **"Reciprocity"** (top): A cartoon mocking trade negotiations between Britain and America. A British nobleman proposes American industries fund British enterprises while Americans fund British ones—a circular arrangement mocking the absurdity of such "reciprocal" trade deals. **"Could Be Spared"** and **"Too Literal"**: Brief comedic dialogues. The first jokes about a son dressing like his father; the second plays on a child's literal interpretation of "forever" in a fairy tale. **"A Matter of Instinct"** (middle): Shows a man falling, illustrating an instinctive response. The page demonstrates Life's mix of political satire and wordplay-based humor, targeting educated readers familiar with contemporary trade disputes and literary references.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XVII. ening lOST ons of ,, Paris N YOR NUMBER 423. RECIPROCITY. Lord Fitzenston: Gav! BRITISH NOBLEMEN FURNISH THE “So oLp Mr, HUNTER ASKED You TO nim! MONEY TO RUN YOUR AMERICAN INDUSTRIES, AND WHAT DID you say?” Miss A.: YES; BUT AMERICAN WIVES FURNISIL THE MONEY “THAT HE HAD BETTER ASK Mamma,” TO KUN YOUR BRITISH NOBLEMEN, COULD BE SPARED. ONES: We must make this banquet a grand suc- cess. Have you got some good cigars to give away? Brown: Oh, yes excellent ones to gi TTOMMY (gazing after dude): When I get to be a man, papa, will I dress like that? Papa (severely): No, Tommy ; not if you get to be a man. A MATTER OF INSTINCT. TOO LITERAL. EACHER: When, ,the wise men came to the king, what did they say ? Boy: They said: “O, K’ng, live forever!" TEACHER: Quite right ; and what then ? Boy: And immediately the king lived forever. HEN the lion lies down with the lamb, there is nobody to ask “Haven't you forgotten something, sir?” comicbooks.com