Life, 1893-01-05 · page 31 of 60
Life — January 5, 1893 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct pieces of humor typical of early Life magazine: **"Life's Meaning"** (top) is a philosophical poem by Tom Masson arguing against pessimism. It counters the notion that society grows more criminal and morally corrupt, instead claiming that humor and optimism have increased over the past decade. The numerous illustrated vignettes (circus acts, military scenes, etc.) surrounding C. Gray Parker's portrait appear to represent Life's own role in documenting and celebrating American culture and entertainment. **"An Amiable Defender"** (middle right) is a brief joke about someone named Dickey Bangs, playing on the distinction between actual thinking and mere self-delusion—suggesting Bangs mistakes his own thoughts for genuine cognition. **"The Question of the Hour"** (bottom right) depicts children in conversation, with a child explaining that God creates kittens the same way He creates babies, then playfully invoking a biblical creation formula ("Let there be kittens"). The humor lies in the child's innocent theological logic and the parent's bemused reaction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
C. GRAY PARKER. LIFE’S MEANING. OME. people like to think that Father Time Does not grow wiser with advancing years ; And dwell upon the fast increasing crime Within this misty tj vale of tears. They love to. conjure from their morbid brains A list of evil sprites who ever wait Before our doors and ai oN batten on their gains 3s" human Chee % cea But we are w[ Ser. sIN grows less! We know ‘That curves Tie deeper now on laughter's line Than when Lirk first began, ten years ago, 8“ gloom w] Th humorous shafts “9 Aud when in ninety 3 upon our way With hastening step and cheerful hearts we fly, We'll find to-morrow brighter than to-day, And LiF grow better as the weeks speed by. Tom Masson AN AMIABLE DEFENDER. I wonder if Dickey Bangs ever thinks. Certainly. He thinks he thinks. STION OF THE HOUR—What time is it ? “WHO MAKES THE KITTENS, JACKIE?” “Wuy, Gop Makes THEM, ETHEL. THEM AS HE DOS BADIES, ONE BY © * LET THERE RE KITTENS,’ AND THERE ARE KITTED comicbooks.com