Life, 1893-06-08 · page 6 of 16
Life — June 8, 1893 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Boston Nursery Rhymes This page presents satirical versions of classic nursery rhymes adapted for contemporary readers of *Life* magazine. The content includes: **"Ding Dong Bell"** and **"'Nuf Sed"** — a dialogue-based joke about an Irish-American man who has never visited Ireland but is perceived as Irish by nationality and character. The satire comments on American identity politics and immigrant heritage, suggesting tension between assumed ethnic identity and actual experience. The remaining rhymes (**"Master John Horner," "An Ancient Idyl," "Miss Bopeep," and others**) offer witty social commentary on contemporary American life, class, ambition, and moral character — typical of *Life's* satirical approach during the early 20th century. The accompanying illustrations are decorative rather than specifically political.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
* LIFE: ' “Wo sat so?” AUR YEED: “HE satp sol” “WELL, IF HE SAID WOT YOU SAID HE SAID, YOU TELL HIM THAT J SAID Ae SAID WOT WUZZEN'T SAID AT ALL I” And means to stick to it? Like wax. And his children after him ! Undoubtedly. And he has a stake in it ? As big a one as he can get. And wants to sce the country prosper? Particularly if he can assess its city taxes, Which is to say that he appreciates his privileges as a voting citizen. Oh, is it! Make a test; as between Ireland and the United States, which is he for ? Ireland ! : He has never seen Ireland. Ireland isn’t even a memory tohim. It's a tradition. All he is, and has, and hopes, is American. Yet you think of him as an Irishman ! But his name is Irish. His features—some of them—are Irish, But his ideas, his point of view, the man himself—are American. Where his treasure has come to be, there his heart has taken root. He has but one country and that is this one. UNKER: Have you really decided to go to Europe next year ? HILL: | am if I can raise enough money to buy an engagement ring. BOSTON NURSERY RHYMES. {Selections from a revised edition of Mother Goose, shortly to be issued for the use of the rising generation of the Hub.] DING DONG BELL. HE bell tolls forth with mournful note; what dismal news is this? Our cherished feline pet is in the well's profound abyss. What miscreant abandoned her to such a shocking fate ? 'Twas little Master Thomas Green, I much regret to state. May the severest penalties descend upon his head, Who would so wantonly maltreat a harmless quadruped. MASTER JOHN HORNER, Je. Ina secluded corner Master Horner sought protection, Devouring with avidity a Christmastide confection ; In which with much dexterity his digit then inserting He drew a raisin forth, and cried, ** Great Ibsen, how diverting ! However insignificant my physical dimensions, In moral excellence I am a youth of high pretensions !"" AN ANCIENT IDYL. Sing forth oh, ho! with merry din, The feline and the violin ! The cow that with transcendent flight O’erleaped earth's lunar satellite ; Nor could the dog, such mirth to see, Restrain his risibility. Fled dish and spoon together, bent On matrimonial intent. MISS BOPEEP. Her fleecy charges’ culpably fugacious inclination Has left diminutive Bopeep in utter desolation, Unable to conjecture their approximate location. But wherefore, oh misguided maid, this mental perturbation ? If left alone, they soon will seek their wonted destination, And bring each caudal member duly pendent in its station. REDDIE: Ma, didn’t the missionary say that the savages didn’t wear any clothes? MOTHER: Yes, my boy. “Then why did pa put a button in the missionary box?” INKS: Why don’t you give Waite a piece of your mind ? FILKINS: I'm not around capitalizing idiots! ECESSARIES OF LIFE—Pen, ink, pencil, paper and brains. Ac OF GENIUS— Sara Bernhardt. A HOTEL CHICKEN. comicbooks.com