Life, 1893-11-23 · page 20 of 26
Life — November 23, 1893 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily an **advertising page**, not a satirical cartoon page. The bulk of the content consists of period advertisements for fashionable goods (long coats, fabrics, men's furnishings, handkerchiefs). However, the page includes several **brief humorous sketches** at top-left that satirize **regional American social differences**: 1. **Chicago vs. Boston manners**: A man from Chicago panics about a house fire with Western emotional directness, while his Boston-born wife responds with rigid "Boston composure" and refuses to be demonstrative—even about a rat near her skirts. 2. **Servant instability**: A joke about constantly changing cooks when living in the country, implying rural domestic help was unreliable. 3. **Masculine/feminine logic**: Jokes contrasting male and female reasoning (men like razors needing "stropping"; Arabs stealing tents). The satire targets **regional stereotypes**—particularly Eastern Establishment reserve versus Western earnestness—and the social pretensions of newly wealthy Chicagoans adopting Boston manners. This reflects turn-of-century American class and regional anxiety.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
REVIVAL OF Long Coats for Winter Wear. Attractive Designs. Perfectly Chic and Original. Combined Ideas of Latest London and Paris Fashions. Handsome Si FOR THIS SEASON ONLY: by Parisian fitters, best quality material, $115. 210 Fifth Avenue, k Dresses, made in our new French Work-rooms, fitted He (of Chicago): My dear, 1 smell something Lurning. 1 do believe the house is on fire, Priscilla. For heaven's sake lay aside your Boston serenity and help me see what is wrong. Sue (formerly of Beacon Hill) : My dear husband, lay aside your Western fidgetiness and be composed. It is bad form to be so demonstrative. The odor you detect is caused by the cook burning some rags. Ten minutes later. He: Priscilla, permit me to ask, with true Boston composure, was it a rat or only a mouse that disap- peared under your skirts a moment ago ? Sue (wildly): 121? Pittsburgh Bulletin. * How do you like living in the country, Becks ?” Fine.” Do you get much variety in your table ?" “Indeed we do, Why, we've had a new cook every week since we went there."—Harper's Bazar. A MAN is very much like a razor, because you can’t tell how sharp he can be until he is completely strapped. —Siftings. Jouxsxy: Paw, why did the Arabs fold their tents and steal away ? Para: They were some other fellow’s tents.— Cleveland Plaindealer. Nine Winter Excursions to California. Messrs, Raymond & Whitcomb a: annual series of winter excursions will form a part Decet westward va Chicago and Kan will be visited are Los An been made Mexico, A descriptive book may be obtained smond & Whitcomb, 31 East Fourteenth Street, New York. Venold Constable & Co. LYONS Velvets, Brocades, Satins. Moire Antique, Moire Miroir, = Moire Francais, Satin Barre, Plato, Colored, and Pancy Satins, Satin Duchesse. Satin Antique. White Satin, White Brocade, White Moire Antique and White Cords, for Wedding Gowns. The Latest Style Tissues, Striped Silks and Fancy Silks for Bridesmaids’ Dresses. Grenadines, Gazes, Crepes and Chiffons, for Evening Dresses. BWroadwary & 19th St New York. are showing in Men’s Furnishings exclusive novelties in English Neckwear including a special importation of De Joinville Scarfs Complete assortments of Silk Night Shirts, Pajamas, Braces And Mufflers. Kid, Pique, Mocha, Castor And Reindeer Gloves, Umbrellas and Canes with choice mountings. West 23d St. ure Linen Handkerchiefs Sor little children and for older children, for ladies and for gentlemen, plain hemmed, hem-stitched, printed, taitialed and embroidered, in such bewildering variety that to attempt description would be useless. Our depart- ment devoted to handkerchiefs is a bazaar tn itself ; any taste and wish, any purse can be suited. We have handkerchiefs as low as five cents and as high as $75.00 each, Every handkerchief warranted pure linen. HANDKERCHIEFS ARE ALWAYS AN ACCEPTABLE HOLIDAY GIFT. James [1cCutcheon & Co. ij Went Der eee. comicbooks.com