Life, 1895-07-04 · page 1 of 18
Life — July 4, 1895 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine, July 4, 1895 This is a Fourth of July-themed satirical illustration. The large letters "LIFE" are formed from coiled springs and mechanical parts, with a figure doing a handstand atop a lion labeled "REVENGE IS SWEET." The cartoon appears to critique American imperialism or foreign policy around 1895. The figure performing acrobatics on the lion likely represents the United States or American government, while the lion may symbolize a rival nation or colonial power. The "revenge is sweet" caption suggests the cartoon comments on retaliatory actions or aggressive posturing. The mechanical spring imagery and the Fourth of July banner below emphasize nationalism and patriotic themes, while the acrobatic performance suggests the cartoonist viewed such policies as undignified or performative rather than principled.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XxXVI. NEW YORK, JULY 4, 1895. NUMBER 658. Entered at the New York I as Secotid-Class Mail Matter. iLL, ok Post Office a Copyright, 1895, by Marcnea, & M