Life, 1892-05-26 · page 3 of 18
Life — May 26, 1892 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine (Volume XIX, Number 491) contains two satirical pieces: **"An Anniversary"** (top cartoon): A couple argues over a forgotten wedding anniversary. The husband claims he'd "remember" while making excuses about his house burning down. The wife sarcastically reminds him "it's the day you proposed to me," suggesting his selective memory about romantic milestones versus domestic disasters. **"Who He Is"** (bottom section): This appears to be commentary on a lawyer or legal professional, listing his expertise in litigation, contracts, and various legal matters. The "First Police Commissioner" and "Second Ditto" dialogue suggests satire about New York municipal positions or appointments, possibly mocking someone's claimed qualifications for public office. The humor relies on domestic irony and institutional incompetence typical of *Life*'s satirical style.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NUMBER 491. SHED the HO. AN ANNIVERSARY. She: DO YoU REMEMBER WHAT DAY THIS IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF? He; Wet, I snoutn say I pip. She: I THOUGHT YoU WOULD, He; Hump! WHO COULD FORGET THE DAY HIS OWN HOUSE WAS BURNED? She; Georce! He: Wat? She; IT’S THE DAY YOU PROPOSED TO ME! (7ears and a scene.) WHO HE IS. HEN one talks of hereditaments, misprisions, and indentures, Of chattels and of mortgages, of choses and debentures, Of assumpsit, debt, and covenant, of trespass and attainders, Of writs of habeas corpus, of reversions and remainders, Of attaching and conveyancing, of signing and endorsing, Of femes, both sole and covert, separating and divorcing, Of words of twenty letters, which you'd think would break his jaw, You will then know that the fellow’s just begun to study law. IRST POLICE COMMISSIONER: This applicant doesn’t know anything about New York. — SEconD Ditto: I know it, but he'll learn, He knows all about “TAKING IT ALL IN.” Limerick, and that’s a good deal like it. comicbooks.com