Life, 1891-05-14 · page 3 of 14
Life — May 14, 1891 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page (Volume XVII, Number 437) The main cartoon depicts a social scene where a woman advocates for "more liberal divorce laws" to a man, who responds by encouraging "matrimony." This satirizes turn-of-century debates about marriage and divorce reform—the woman's position represented progressive views seeking easier dissolution of marriage, while the man's rebuttal humorously defends traditional matrimony. Below are brief humorous items: a poem about men wanting little in life, a comment on New Haven Road's car-stove accident, a gardening joke playing on Eve as the "first gardener," and a note about D.B. Hill becoming Governor of New York. The illustration labeled "A Sign of Spring" shows swallows returning—a traditional spring marker. The page reflects contemporary social commentary on marriage reform and contemporary political/social developments.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
yn Timer uch.” She (to untiring suitor): FoR MY PART, I THINK THIS COUNTRY OUGHT TO HAVE MORE LIBERAL DIVORCE LAWS. The U. S.: More cinerat! Gracious! Wat ror? She: TO ENCOURAGE st, postpait M*s wants but little here below.” 8a | I FE trousers are very much worn this That's all quite true, and yet, season,” said the tailor, displaying his I'd like to see the man that won't goods, Take all that he can get ee a “So are the ones I have on,” replied the poet, sadly T was doubtless a discomfort for the directors of the New Haven Road to be held responsible for the car-stove accident in the tunnel, but is it wise for them to vent their spleen at the Grand Central Station by the enforcement of useless rules which vex an innocent travelling public ? FRESH LIGHT ON ANCIENT HISTORY. INE,” said the gardener, “is the most ancient of callings. Adam, you know, was the first gardener.” “ An’ bedad moine's jist about as ould,” added the lady who presided over a street fruit stand.“ Wasn't Eve the first applewoman, ch?” LARGE SEATING CAPACITY. “e I ET'S see. What has become of D. B. Hill—is he still in ~ toffice ?” asked the rescued castaway on his return. “Oh, yes. He is now Governor of New York, Chief Justice of Con- A SIGN OF SPRING. tempor necticut, nd United States Senator, with a prospect of the Presidency.” THE RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS, RES. THEN S. comicbooks.com