Life, 1891-06-04 · page 13 of 16
Life — June 4, 1891 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate satirical pieces mocking American society and religious hypocrisy: 1. **"A Wise Move"**: Satirizes clergy opportunism. Dr. Bridgman's conversion from Baptist to Episcopalian faith is presented as cynical careerism—the Episcopal church attracts wealthy patrons, offers faster advancement, and higher salaries. The satire notes clergy rarely switch denominations *away* from Episcopalianism, suggesting it's the denomination of financial advantage, not spiritual conviction. 2. **"Not a Teaser"**: A dialogue mocking materialism. Seven-year-old Emmy reveals she prays not from faith but from self-interest, admitting she hates people "the more they get, the more they want"—revealing children absorb society's greed. 3. **"The Phantom Lady"** and **Boggs dialogue**: Satirizes transatlantic marriages between wealthy American heiresses and impoverished English aristocrats. The exchange mocks American girls "making bargains" marrying titled men, with Boggs suggesting lords accept such marriages because American money makes them "cheap at any price."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A WONDERFUL TRANSFORMA- TION RECENTLY WITNESSED IN CENTRAL Park, A WISE MOVE. W'! ‘¢ nothing surpris- ing in Dr. Bridgman giving up the Baptist faith and becoming an Episcopa- han. The Episcopal church includes more wealthy and influential people, is far more fashionable, and offers a shorter road to distinction and a large salary. You are constantly hearing of clergy- men of other denominations becoming Episcopalians. How often do you hear of an Episcopal clergyman changing horses ? Business is business. NOT A TEASER. UNT FANNY: Don't you believe, Emmy, that God answers little girls’ prayers ? Emmy (S. S. Scholar, aged 7): Yes, I know it. AunT Fanny: And do Sou Say (pour peayersdeN THE PHANTOM LADY. night? “CORNELIA 18.4 WIDOW, NOW.” . : . “TL HADN'T HEARD OF HER HUSGAND'S DEATH,” Emmy: No, Aunt Fanny, “SHE MARRIED LORD BaNCASTLE, YOU KNOW, AND IT SEEMS THAT TITLE HAS BEEN EX- T hate people who, the more tixct FoR sixty YEARS.” they get, the more they want. OGGS: An American girl always makes a bargain when she marries a lord. THE LIGHT OF THE Fe How do you make that out ? WORLD—Caucasians. BocGs : Because he is cheap, at any price. comicbooks.com