Life, 1892-12-29 · page 5 of 47
Life — December 29, 1892 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 377 This page contains three distinct humor pieces: **"To the Sweet Singers of Our Rural Vales"** (top): A poem mocking amateur singers who use pretentious foreign phrases and overly dramatic language. It advises against theatrical affectation in simple country settings. **"The World with a Sigh"** (illustration): A satirical drawing showing what appears to be performers or dancers on stage, contrasting with an audience member. The caption references "the same old girls," suggesting commentary on repetitive entertainment or performers. **"Subjected to a Great Strain"** and **"Unintentionally Correct"**: Two brief anecdotal humor pieces. The first jokes about a customer's demanding suit specifications; the second presents a witty exchange where Robinson and Jones trade insults. **"Theatrical News"**: A small sketch labeled "The Black Crook is Having a Great Run," referring to a popular 19th-century theatrical production. Overall, the page satirizes pretension, tired entertainment formulas, and social awkwardness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
: LIFE = TO THE SWEET SINGERS OF OUR RURAL VALES. I F you cull from foreign phrases, And it would be mala prepos — Vhough you may try a brilli ‘To deck a feeble line, To be entirely frank -— About a big ** jack-pot,” To use too much a phrase that oes It will not be a jew d esprit,” You will raise the very blazes “Gott ser Dank {" Vo rhyme it with * Ae mot If you en't m down fine: In German, For instance, you will never show While if you speak of ** siren Circe And even thor “Jenny says pas, Great depth in classic lores Or “patient Hene T would not tackle that If you exclaim with Cicero, Expect a delegation fierce For fear you might achieve, alas ! coup Letat 1” Harry Romaine The World (with a sigh): Tir. Sab OLD GIRLS! SUBJECTED TO A GREAT STRAIN. ES, sir,” said the tailor," Vl guarantee that this material will not stretch out of shape, and will wear like iron.” Then,” said the anxious customer, you may make me up a suit. But | want to ght quaver in his voice, “ Lam paying regular be dead sure about it,” he added, a visits to a girl in Brooklyn who tips the scales at two hundred pounds, and | don't want that suit to give out on me. UNINTENTIONALLY CORRECT. se I' I were you, Jones, | wouldn't be a fool,” said Robinson, during an argu- ment, ‘You are right: if you were | you wouldn't be a fool,” replied the latter: _—_—_———_ “Tie BLACK CROOK IS HAVING A PRipLe-Prarep—A table set for three. GREAT RUN.” comicbooks.com