Life, 1892-07-14 · page 12 of 14
Life — July 14, 1892 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Page Analysis This page from Life magazine (likely 1870s-1880s) contains several satirical items: **"Anniversaries of the Week"** lists historical events with tongue-in-cheek humor—a young elephant suing for damages, dynamite testing, and rifle demonstrations—treating mundane or absurd incidents as if they were significant historical milestones. **"Traveling is Expensive"** satirizes the dynamic between guides and wealthy tourists. The con-artist guide ("Stingray Pete") manipulates his client by feigning surprise at spotting the tourist's large bankroll, guilt-tripping him into an enormous tip ($500 minus $424.75 spent = financial loss). The joke mocks both the guide's shameless manipulation and the wealthy traveler's inability to refuse. **"Our Contemporaries"** appears to reference rival publications with a romantic scene labeled "The 'Evening Call' and the 'Sunday Press,'" likely satirizing competing newspapers. The overall tone targets 19th-century social pretensions, con-artistry, and journalistic rivalry through humorous illustration.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ANNIVERSARIES OF THE WEEK. JULY 13, 1879. A YOUNG ELEPHANT BROUGHT INTO COURT OF EXCHEQUER IN A SUIT FOR DAMAGES FOR FRIGHTENING A PONY AT ALEXANDRA PALACE JULY 14, 1868, DYNAMITE FIRST TRIED AT MERSTHAN, WITH SUCCESS. Jury 17, 186: SNIDER'S RIFLE REPORTED VERY SUCCESSFUL AT WIMBLEDON, ‘* 17 EEN scheme that of Harlow’s,” said Hicks. “ Took his boy to church last Sunday—pinched him just before the collection and boy cried, so Harlow had to take him out. Saved his money.” ~ ANG TRAVELING IS EXPENSIVE, Stingray Pete (a guide): YOU MAVE REACHED THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN AN’ THE VIEW IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE (after a pause.) 1 SEEN A FIVE HUN- DRED DOLLAR BILL IN YOUR POCKET-HOOK, DIDN'T 1? Traveler: DON'T MENTION IT, MY DEAR FELLOW, I DIDN'T IN- TEND TO GIVE YOU SO MUCH WHEN T STARTED, BUT I SUPPOSE IT’S ALL RIGHT ; YOU KNOW YOUR OWN BUSINESS BEST. I'M ONLY FOUR HUNDRED AND TY-EIGHT DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS OUT, ANYHOW ! OUR CONTEMPORARIES. Tue “ Evening Call” asp THE “Sunday Press.” ON chattin, tose ! card wi into bis Th a éeplo habit o SOP] Dr. P- alarme: had gor hundre comicbooks.com