Life, 1894-12-20 · page 5 of 14
Life — December 20, 1894 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 395 **Top Cartoon:** A social scene showing a "Famous Violinist" being asked by Miss Ethel if he plays any instrument. His response—that her mother said children shouldn't be a nuisance if they could help it—is a cutting insult disguised as agreement. The joke satirizes social rudeness masked by false politeness. **Lower Content:** - A poem titled "When My Cousin Comes to Town" mocks a visiting cousin from New York, satirizing her pretentious shopping habits and fashionable airs on "Cherry Valley's" streets. - "Wall Street Phrases" and "Par Flat" appear to be additional humorous sections. The overall tone targets urban affectation and social pretension common to Gilded Age satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Famous Violinist (after his great solo) : Do YOU PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT, FRAULEIN ? Miss Ethel: NO; MY MOTHER ALWAYS SAID THAT HER CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE A NUISANCE TO ANY ONE IF SHE COULD HELP IT, WHEN MY COUSIN COMES TO TOWN. HERRY VALLEY'S finest raiment— Quaint, yet beautiful to Rightly decks its fairest claimant To sweet femininity. Miss New York, au fait in fashion, Smiles at Cherry Valley's gown— Smile half envy, half compassion— When my cousin comes to town, Miles on miles of streets of shopping ; How she revels in the sights ! Every window finds her stopping ; To examine its delights. And I join in her inspection, For two sparkling eyes of brown Show in the plate-glass reflection When my cousin comes to town. If she warms about the city In her healthy, happy way, Miss New York politely witty Is about her narzesé. But to men, such girlish rapture Is a far from common noun, And each day shows some fresh capture When my cousin comes to town, Goes the maid to Seidl’s, Sousa’s, Horse-Show, Metropolitan— Over each one she enthuses As but Cherry Valley can. Is it strange when breezes waft her Homeward, sorrow weighs me down ? Jam “* broke” for six weeks after, When my cousin comes to town, - W. P. Bourke, HOLLY: It wained so hard I had toget under shelter. SHE: Whotold you it was raining ? WALL STREET PHRASES. “PAR FLAT.”