Life, 1896-01-16 · page 9 of 20
Life — January 16, 1896 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Political Satire Analysis This page from *Life* magazine contains political commentary and light humor pieces. The main article, "A Word to the Fearful," addresses citizens anxious about potential war, likely referencing the Cleveland and Olney administrations' diplomatic tensions (the text mentions them by name). The satirist reassures readers that President Cleveland understands international affairs better than the anxious public, and that Uncle Sam won't recklessly provoke conflict with stronger nations like Britain. The page also includes unrelated humorous pieces: "Phyllys and Corydon" (romantic verse with accompanying sketches), "To Alfred" (mocking the new poet laureate's £7,000 salary), and a brief comic dialogue between Mrs. Wreakhard and Mr. Oldboarder about taking medicine. The cartoons illustrate the literary pieces rather than advancing political argument.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LIFE: za A WORD TO THE FEARFUL. ox O those unhappy and excited citizens who anticipate direful war, and who lament, incidentally, that Messrs. Cleveland and Olney should have proven themselves mischievous lunatics, LIFE would offer a word of consolation. In the first place it is barely possible that these two gentlemen may, from their official positions, possess an inside knowledge of international ] affairs that is denied the rest of us. Consequently it is only fair to suppose that they may know what they are about. It requires no subtle knowledge of diplomatic secrets to realize that the British lion has long. since/lost the habit of waging war on animals of his own size. He is a dangerous beast when face to face with the Zulus, the Ashantees, the Burmese, or the Venezuelans, but when confronted with any but the smallest game he invariably shuns a conflict. Therefore, L1 is con- strained to believe that Uncle Sam, although not in fighting condition, may twist this lion’s tail in perfect safety. He is, also, constrained to believe that Presi- dent Cleveland has a far deeper knowledge — of his present business ty of than the unhappy AMERIC AW and excited citizens who are ¢ * so freely denouncing him. PHYLLYS AND CORYDON. HYLLYS took a red rose from the tangles of her hair— Time, the Golden Age, the place, Arcadia, anywhere. Phyllys laughed, the saucy jade. ‘* Sir Shepherd, wilt have this? Or (bashful god of skipping lambs and oaten reed !) a kiss! Bethink thee, gentle Corydon. A rose lasts all night long ; A kiss but slips from your lips like a robin’s evening song. A kiss that goes where no one knows, a rose, a crimson rose. Corydon made his choice and took—well, which do you suppose ? Arthur Willis Colton. TO ALFRED. Alfred Austin, the new poet laureate, will have an income of £7,000 a year.—Daily paper. OME, Alfred, get your lyre out from where it’s lain so long and lubricate and tune it up and twang us all a song. Forget the £7,000 that you will make a year, and « write of dear old England's woes to make your title clear. It isn’t very clear just yet—we must confess with shame; for there are quite a number here who haven't heard your name. So write of Venezuela's claims and how absurd they are; of Grover C. and Salisburee, and sing a song of war. Come, brush aside your household bills — your credit’s good, they'll wait—and show, if not a poet, at least you are a laureate, RS. WREAKHARD (¢he dandlady) : How is it that you are taking your medicine after dinner? I thought the doctor told you to take it before meals. MR. OLDBOARDER: He said it didn’t make any difference as long at I took it on an empty stomach. “Take HIM, Yacos.”” comicbooks.com