Life, 1894-09-13 · page 3 of 16
Life — September 13, 1894 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page (Volume XXIV, Number 611) This page contains satirical commentary and humor rather than political cartoons. The "News from Abroad" section discusses Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Martin's plan to spend December in Europe—apparently news that surprised Life's editors, who confess their ignorance. The satire mocks the Martins as wealthy New Yorkers of "scientific and literary tastes" while noting their modest means prevent indulging in vulgar displays. "At the Soda Fountain" presents dialogue humor about drink flavors—a period working-class scene. "Vanity Fair" is a poem about romantic disappointment and lost youth, not political satire. The sketches show period illustration style but lack identifiable caricatures of specific political figures. This appears to be general society satire targeting wealthy elites and social pretension.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XXIV. dee NUMBER 611. - NEWS FROM ABROAD. NFORMATION comes also by way of Homburg that Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Martin will sail for New York, such is their present plan, early in December to spend some weeks here. They will open their house in West Twentieth Street and will take a bux at the opera.—New York Herald. This is indeed good news, for, to tell the honest truth, we were ignorant of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Martin's plans. Probably if some other editors were equally frank they would make the same confession. Our ignorance would be none the less reprehensible, of course, but it is always a relief for guilty persons to find others who are equallysinful, Moreover, in these complicated times it is difficult even for an editor to know everything. Who brought this news from Homburg? And is it official ? Suppose Mr. and Mrs, Bradley Martin should change their plans ? What then ? But this is too unpleasant to speculate upon. Some people, uneducated, illiterate peo- ple of the far West, may ask: “Who are Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Martin?” It is needless to say that those who ask it are not readers of the “society” columns of New York papers. As, however, it is the first duty of a public journal to dis- seminate knowledge, we will inform them that Mr, and Mrs. Bradley Martin are two very quiet New Yorkers, of scientific and literary tastes, whose limited means pre- vent their indulging in vulgar show even if so inclined. Their house in West Twentieth Street is a nice, clean house, and we have no doubt that Mrs. Martin will keep her box at the opera in equally good order, AT THE SODA FOUNTAIN, LERK: What flavor? BRIDGET (astide fo Pat): he mean, Pat? Par: Whist, Biddy ; don’t show yer igerance ; they has fruit flavors in the soda. I'll be havin’ sthrawberry in mine. BRipGeT: Oh, yis, Oi see, fruit fiavors; Oi'll have onion in mine. Phat do Price “old sweet: Bottled ents for for the York. “CLARA, WHO DO YOU LIKE THE BEST, YOUR FATHER OR YOUR MOTHER?” “My MOTHER, OF COURSE! I DON'T THINK MUCH OF FATHERS ANYHOW, THEY'RE ONLY RELATIONS BY MARRIAGE.” VANITY FAIR. ANITY FAIR, Vanity Fair, What can we purchase in Vanity Fair? Hearts, perhaps broken, but passing for new ;.> Vows, false when spoken, but warranted true. “> Colors, they're faded, but fit still for wear ; Nothing is wasted in Vanity Fair. Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, How goes the trading in Vanity Fair? Worn, pale cheeks for red ones,-and young hearts for old ; Fresh roses, for dead ones ; brass passing for gold. Some lose all in the struggle, but none know or care, No room for the failures in Vanity Fair. Fair, Vanity Fair, I pray you come join us in Vanity Fair. Bring youth and bring gladness, your high aims, bright desires, Purchase old age and sadness, burnt out ashes of fires. Naught else will be left you, but why should you care, You have danced with the gayest in Vanity Fair. comicbooks.com