Life, 1895-11-28 · page 10 of 26
Life — November 28, 1895 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 346 This page contains satirical commentary on English vs. American cultural differences, particularly critiquing American tourists' behavior in England. **"The Cruel Birds"** (top illustration): Shows American visitors mistreating what appears to be native English birds or wildlife, satirizing Americans' ignorance of local customs and disrespect for British traditions. **The turkey dialogue** (bottom): Humorously contrasts English reserve with American materialism—the Marketman's deadpan promise that a turkey will "last you a month" with "careful usage" mocks both English thrift and American conspicuous consumption. The main text attacks vulgar American newcomers who embarrass the nation abroad, specifically mentioning Broadway performers and wealthy tourists. It defends the English character as superior and sophisticated, while portraying certain Americans as uncultured and arrogant representatives of their country.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
of London society and music halls, must ever be grateful to the dear old mother country. Lives there an American who does not thrill when he recalls the honors show- ered on American genius in England? Do we not glow to think that in Westminster Abbey there are slabs—six inches by eight THE CRUEL BIRDS. —placed in cool, dark corners, to the memory of Longfellow and Lowell, and which can be readily found with the aid of a guide ?, Who is not proud of the deference paid to Messrs, Sullivan and Corbett in recent years by the mother country? Do we not tremble with exultation when we think that at any moment the Queen—when she gets over her rheumatism—may insist on making Mr. Astor a duke ? These things touch the great heart of the republic and make us forget that England is part of Canada. Yet certain vulgar persons in our community seek to belittle this blithe newcomer and impugn his character and intelligence. They allege that he expects to shoot buffalo and Indians on Broadway; yet an intelligent Englishman Boy: HE KIN SCARE US WITH HIS RACKET now, EM'LY, BUT IN A COUPLE 0° DAYS OUR STUMMICKS WILL RE HIS CEMETERY ! denies this and assures us that it is generally understood in England that shooting these creatures is forbidden in crowded thoroughfares, as it should be. What are stigma- tized as his hazy geographical ideas—an expectation to breakfast in New York and dine in San Francisco—is merely a delicate compliment to our most admirably managed railroads. Some carpers object to a man writing three vol- umes of criticisms on our manners and customs based on three weeks observation. Are these envious people aware that any educated scientist, given the bones of a hind leg, can evolve a treatise on the habits, food, language, diseases and literature of an extinct race of grasshoppers and supple- ment it with photographs? They forget that the English are the keenest, wittiest and most imaginative of our races; and that he comes here with heart, eyes, ears, mouth and hands open to absorb everything within reach. The Englishman is a superior being, and he is forced to admit it. The more we study him the better we like him— in England. If our first families love him and imitate him it shows very poor taste for us, who are outside the charmed circle of retired grocers, hotel widows, real estate sharks and Wall street pirates, to scoff at that noblest product of our civiliza- tion—the Englishman. Joseph Smith. GETTING LATE. HE: I wish you wouldn’t smoke that cigarette in my presence, HE: Then I'll throw it away. “Oh, I didn’t mean that.” HE LANDLADY: MARKETMAN: I can, ma‘am. that bird will last you a month, Can you recommend this turkey ? With careful usage,