Life, 1891-06-11 · page 3 of 18
Life — June 11, 1891 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page (Volume XVII, Number 441) This page contains three separate humor pieces: 1. **"Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense" (Presence of Mind)**: A poem and illustration about a woman (Phoebe) who drops a silk string/ribbon and picks it up while a man observes. The joke plays on her composure and fashion consciousness. 2. **"One Consolation"**: A brief verse about a dog that is a "yaller" (yellow) and covered with fleas, consoling the owner that at least he doesn't have to complain about his knees. 3. **"From Celestial Regions"**: Jokes between religious figures (St. Peter, Gabriel, Squiggs) involving biblical references (Noah, Barnum's circus) and crude humor about castor oil and fashion taste. The satire appears gentle and focused on social etiquette, fashion, and bodily humor typical of early 1900s American publications.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE.” PRESENCE OF MIND. SILKEN string which, though snow white, With Phoebe's brow could not compare, Its golden clasp not half so bright As Phoebe's wealth of shining hair, Upon the floor it lay, half curled Around her little satin shoe. I wonder still, what in the world Turned Phoebe's face to such a hue— As, picking up the dainty thing, With sauciest smile she said; ‘' Please note The latest style "—and clasped the string Of ribbon round her slender throat. FROM CELESTIAL REGIONS. What's all that noise inside, Gabe ? They're laughing at Barnum and Noah. Noah's mad be- cause Barnum’s disparaged his show. ONE CONSOLATION. I MAY be “‘yaller,” Seuie What has the worst taste in the world? And covered with fleas, Castor oil. But my pants, thank the Lord, SQ ! Castor oil isn’t to be compared with the man who Don't bag at the knees. wears a d high hat. comicbooks.com