Life, 1894-10-04 · page 17 of 18
Life — October 4, 1894 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This brief cartoon jokes about how the upper class judged a suitor's respectability. Mrs. DePuyster worries whether a young man courting someone's daughter is truly a "gentleman." Mrs. Martine reassures her by explaining she examined his *hat* when it hung on the rack—and it was a Knox. The joke relies on understanding that Knox was an expensive, prestigious hat brand. A gentleman would wear a quality hat; therefore, the hat itself becomes proof of gentlemanly status and breeding. The satire mocks how superficially the wealthy assessed character: rather than observing his behavior or moral qualities, they simply checked his millinery. For modern readers, this highlights Victorian-era class anxiety and the belief that material goods and brands signaled (and could verify) one's social position.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
KODAKS Embody every advantage of the most com- plete magazine and view cameras, but are far lighter and more compact and less liable to get out of order. KODAKS have The Best Lenses, Shutters that are easy to regulate and positive in action, Rack and Pinion, and index for focusing, View Finders for horizontal and vertical exposures, Automatic Registers for counting the expos- ures, Automatic Tension for keeping the film flat at all times, Seven Styles use either plates of films, and can be focused with the index or on the ground glass, 17 STYLES AND sizes. £0.00 10 8:00.00. Catalogue Free. Remington HIGH GRADE EASTMAN KODAK CO. Rochester, N. Y. HIS CREDENTIALS. Mrs. DePuyster.—* Are you sure that that young man who is paying so much attention to your daughter, is a gentleman?” Mrs. Martine.—*+ Oh, I'm convinced of it. I examined his hat last evening when it was hanging on the rack—and it was a Knox.” 2. S Beautiful Shades Of Light all about 50 shapes and coo siyles 6 of exquisite silk lamp shades free for a stamp—A book of superb engravings. West Boston Art Lame Suanr Co, 1 Street, near Washington Street, Boston, Cycles “Are: the Best In Design, Material, Workmanship and Finish. NINE PATTERNS—POPULAR WEIGHTS, Fitted with the wat Bartlett *eltecher” $75 to $135. Handsome Catalogue FREE on application, REMINGTON ARMS CO., 313°31§ Broadway, New York. really fame e Palmer th Manufacturers of the Remington Fire Arms, of world-wide reputation. ME THAN IS SERVED OVER ANY BAR IN THE WORLD. ALL READY FOR USE, NO MIXING. The Glub Gecktails MANHATTAN, MARTINI, WHISKY, HOLLAND CIN, TOM CIN, VERMOUTH and YORK. For the Yacht, For the Sea Shore, For the Mountains, For the Fishing Party, For the Camping Party, For the Summer Motel, For everywhere that a delicious Cocktail Is ap preciated, Try cur YORK Cocktali—made with. butanysweetening—iry anddelicious, Asample doz. bottle sent to any address, prepaid, for 4c, For sale by all Druggtsts and Dealers. 6, F, HEUBLEIN & BRO., Sole Proprietors, 39 Broadway, New York; Hartford, Conn.; and 20 Piccadilly, W. London, England, JAYC.WEMPLE CO. hades hadings hade Rollers For Sale by all First-Class Dealers. 255 & 257 WABASH AVE, 537 & 539 BROADWAY, CHICAGO, ILL. N. Y. CITY. ae D. L, DOWD'S MBALTH EXERCISER, «For Gentlexen, Ladies, Youths; athlete *, or invalid. Complete gymnasium ; takes + 6 in, of room ; new, scientific. dur- able, cheap, Indorsed by 100,000 physi- cians, lawyers, clergymen, editors and others now using it. Illustrated circular, engravings, free, Address, D. L- bow , Scientific, Physical and Vocal Cutture, 9 East a4th Street, New York. comicbooks.com