Life, 1894-05-17 · page 7 of 18
Life — May 17, 1894 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 319 The top cartoon titled "The Difference" contrasts child-rearing practices: on the left, "In Enlightened America," a child is disciplined; on the right, "In Darkest Africa," an ostrich appears to kick a child. The satire suggests American civilization's superiority through child discipline versus supposed African chaos. Below are several brief satirical pieces: "The Reason Why" mocks dishonesty; "Music" discusses German Opera House management; "The Dude's Presence of Mind" is a humorous anecdote about bathing; and "The Indians Hopeless" presents cynical commentary comparing failed efforts to "civilize" Native Americans with similar attempts to discipline Irish immigrants. The overall tone reflects early 20th-century American attitudes regarding racial and ethnic hierarchies.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE DIFFERENCE. IN ENLIGHTENED AMERICA, IN DARKEST AFRICA, THE REASON WHY. E loves to rise at early dawn When others love to lie. This is the finest time for him, Because he is a fly. Js speaking of Mr. Damrosch and of the chances for German Opera next season, our frequently . esteemed contemporary, The USC Zritunc, thusexpresses itselt : a He had a refusal of the Opera House which expired yesterday. Mr. Grau said that no definite arrangement had been made, and that no contract was signed. Though Mr. Damrosch’s option on the house has expired, he will, no doubt, be able to secure it at a later period, if he has subscriptions enough to guarantee the financial success of i { his proposed season. ‘ } | \pany, which was fired up this morning. V4 What company was “fired up a 4 this morning?” If this is a news item, we should be inclined to consider the last line a printer's error; that somebody was endeavoring to state that German Opera had been “fired.” Or, possibly, that something had occurred this morning which enabled the company present to realize that New Yorkers distinctly preferred some other kind of opera to the Teutonic variety. But it reads tous more like an unusually calm and unbiased expression of opinion by Zhe Trzbune's musical critic. Being himself a German, he would naturally become some- what excited in approaching that subject, particularly with his nerves in their present condition. Even a German can- not curse and laboriously despise French and Italian music all winter without feeling some lassitude or nervous reaction in the spring. As a public instructor, as one to indicate with impartial wisdom the beauties of the various schools of music, this person is of priceless value to any journal. THE DUDE’S PRESENCE OF MIND. sd OW did Algy get so frightfully burned ?” “He was warming before the grate, just after a bath, when his clothes caught fire.” “Didn't he jump back into the bath-tub ?” “No, He ran out on the fire escape.” THE INDIANS HOPELESS. RIEND: Your planof civilizing the Indians by making soldiers of them is said to have failed. PHILANTHROPIST (dolefully): 1 can't understand it at all. It’s the same way with our plan of civilizing the Irish, by making policemen of them. OHNNY: Pop, may I ask you a question in arithmetic ? Happy FATHER (proud of his son's love for study): Certainly, my boy, certainly. JouNNyY: How many times what makes seven ?