Life, 1892-12-15 · page 7 of 16
Life — December 15, 1892 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 347 **Top Cartoon ("A One-Sided Affair"):** Shows figures loading a barrel labeled with comic panels onto a cart, satirizing sensationalized newspaper/comic content being mass-produced and distributed. **Main Illustration & Dialogue:** Depicts a woman and man in what appears to be an urban setting with a Gothic cathedral. The dialogue references "Jay Gould," a notorious 19th-century railroad magnate and robber baron known for corruption and ruthless business practices. **Political Context:** The accompanying text criticizes Gould as a "public enemy" and corrupt legislator, arguing that secret corruption ("the one...who likes law") poses greater danger than open treason. The satire attacks wealthy industrialists who corrupted American institutions through bribery and manipulation rather than direct criminal acts. **Overall Point:** Mocking elite hypocrisy and the public's tolerance of wealthy criminals.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
corrupt our legislators. The man who, to aid his ambitions, uses open treason is a less dangerous foe to his country than the one, who, like Gould, brings secret corruption to poison the very fountains of law and justice. No amount of domestic virtue should be permitted to blind us to the fact that Jay Gould was a public enemy, worthy only of public condemnation, whether alive or dead. THE HARD PART. ROPRIETOR: Did you let the lady know it was no trouble to show your wares? NEW CLERK: Ye: I told her that selling them was where the rub came in. TO A WATER-COLOR. Ss” T Phyllis, maid of yesterday, Come down from out that frame, And tell me why you looked so gay— Likewise your other name. Had bold Sir Plume confessed his love And asked you if you'd wed ? And had he called you ** Lovey-dove "— And how long are you dead ? Where did you get that wondrous gown, Those patches and that hair ; And how were things in London town The last time you were there ? And did you die, a maid or wife— Your husband lord or knave And how did you like your jolly life, And how do you like the grave ? Tom Hall. Ethel (excitedly) + xD ME. ras MIS ARM AROUND YOU. HE HAS KNOWN ME ONLY TWO DAYS AND HE PUT HIS ARM You MEAN, I SUPPOSE, THAT HE HAS KNOWN YOU TWO DAYS AND only PUT comicbooks.com